K? 




if'*. 











>9 




v*;^ 

^^. 












V -^^ 












/ .^.^i;:- ■*■' 







r» *■ 









'-.'f : 








.• .♦^"-^ 



) V 



%. 















/ 






A^-^. 












.0* .^l-'. V 



ho 













.^ 









> A 









i 



CS': 



loU^ 







Ibr^,- 3 ears afler ;^!■arrlage 



Z$^^ -'4^0 




COTTON'S 

AUTO-BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES 

OF THE 

Life, Labors, and Extensive Home Travels 

OF 

REV. A. J. COTTON, 

An Early Pioneer in the Wilds of the once ^Far IVest,^ Local Elder 
of the M. E. Church, Attorney and Counselor at Lata, Ex-yudge 
of the Civil, Criminal, a?id Probate Courts of Dearborn 
County, Indiana, Ex-Editor, Assistant Marshal of 
the United States, Author of ' Cotton's K^y.v- 
SAK.'E,'' and several unpublished Man- 
uscript Works, etc., etc. 

IN SHORT, CONVENIENT CHAPTERS. 

APOTHEGMS. 

'Books are embalmed minds.'— 2?e?i;. FrankUn. 

' Good books are the best household treasure.' — Tho^. Dick. 

' The author of a good book is a benefactor of his race.' — Dr. Adam Clark. 

' A word fitly spoken, how good it is.'— JSolomon. 

Designed for Sabbath Schools, and for the guidance of poor, obscure 
little boys and young men, who, like the author, are destined to ' work their 
way' to usefulness and honest fame, single-handed and alone. 
' AYhat Mak has done Man can do.' 

Price #1.00, #1.SS, #l.SO, accoi-ding to Biiacliiig. 

POKTLAKD: 

FEINTED BY B. THURSTON & CO., 

1874. 



INTRODUCTIOISr. 



My very worthy friend, Kev. James S. Rice, has very 
kindly written out for me the following for publication in 
my truth-telling Sketch-Book. If it is short, it is also 
sweet., and to the point most clearly, multum inparvo, as a 
Latinist would say : 

* I, the undersigned, having read a portion of the Man- 
uscript of Rev. Judge Cotton's forthcoming pretty Sketch- 
Book, and from a long and intimate acquaintance with its 
Author, feel perfectly safe and take great pleasure in say- 
ing that I have full confidence that it will be a very read- 
able and useful Book, well worthy of a liberal patronage 
and a wide-spread circulation, which I doubt not will be 
accorded to it. All the little boys and young men of the 
county at least should be sure to obtain a copy of it. It 
cannot fail to " serve and please" both old and young, 
male and f enmle. 

'Judge Cotton is " a live man," well posted and up with 
the times. He has often filled my pulpit, and his ser- 
mons have uniformly been very acceptable and profitable 
to me and to the congregations of my people. And I most 
heartily wish him great success in his worthy enterprise. 



O INTRODUCTION. 

The report of his late most magnificent and romantic 
Wedding Party, which is to enliven the columns of his 
Sketch-Book, is literally true to the very letter. I have 
attended many Weddings, but never one half equal to it 
for number or splendor, etc. 

James S. Kice, 
Minister of the M, E. Church, and memljer 
of the Maine Conference. 
North Pownal, Sept. 25, 1873.' 

K. B. — Five oflQciating Ministers, 500 guests, and a 
splendid choir, is rather extra, is it not? 



FREF-A-OE 



Preface, indeed! do you say— who cares for the preface? 
Introduce us at once to your little book. 

Not quite so fast, my dear young readers. If you were 
about to erect a permanent edifice, would you not in the 
first place prepare a good substantial foundation for it? 
Well, then, what a foundation is to a building is the Pref- 
ace to a book, don't you see it? Ko one of you would say 
to your Minister, don't delay and bother us with your 
text, let us have the sermon at once and be done with it; 
you would not say that, would you? True, the minister 
might say just as many pretty things without naming his 
text as with it. But it would profit you little; there 
would be neither point nor connection in it; it would be 
simply unmeaning, like one ' beating the air.' But when 
he gives out his text you have his theme, and with it a 
2:)0int of attraction, and know just how and where to apply 
everything as you pass along, don't you? The Preface is 
my text for my little ' Sketch-Book.' Here, then, we'll 
take an even start together, now that you have my start- 
ing point and the theme of my pen. 

Paul's Gospel theme to the Gentiles was simply ' Christ 
and him crucified.' 

My theme is, ' A cheering word and a helping hand,' 
to all those who need it. Kot a fancy sketch merely, but 



O PREFACE. 

a record of exjDerience, and that by the very hardest strug- 
gle of personal effort and continued application in the 
right direction. Having in the kind Providence of God 
' worked my way ' from the very deepest and darkest ob- 
scurity to a somewhat elevated and honorable distinction 
among men, I know the entire route — know it all by 
heart. And feeling as I do that sketches of my humble 
life and wonderful history cannot be otherwise than prof- 
itably interesting and instructive to all who aspire to lives 
of usefulness and ' honest fame,' I sit me down to tell 
them just how those high and honorable ends are to be 
attained. In common parlance, my Sketch-Book contains 
it all ' in a nut-shell.' 

If Paul was less than the least of all the apostles, his 
record and history are worth more than all of them put 
together, including Peter, James, and John. Read the 
first chapter only of my little book, and see if ever a 
writer and author began so far down at the foot of ' the 
hill of science.' If, then, I am less than the least of all 
writers, it is even possible that mine shall be one of the. 
most cheering, interesting, and instructive histories of its 
' kind and character' that the world ever saw; and so far 
as in me lies, I shall labor diligently to make it truly so, 
from beginning to end. Paul preached neither to flatter 
his own vanity nor to win wealth or fame, but to save 
mankind by winning them to Christ. If he wrote out a 
most wonderful history, it was to magnify the s^race of 
God as exhibited in his own life and history. Every auto- 
biographer has himself for his theme, and must speak of 
himself, and should write out as true and as fair a record 
of himself as he would for any other man. But all his 
thougchts and his words and his aims should be to benefit 



rr.EFACE. 9 

and save others, and to magnify the grace of God vouch- 
safed to hhii. And if I am inspired by any other motives 
I do not know the emotions of my own heart. 

I have no pique to be avenged, no spleen to gratify. 
My conflicts with, and my triumphs over treason and cor- 
ruption in high places, I leave to history, happy and con- 
tent with the issue. And if like the great apostle Paul, 
' I have been in perils^ among false brethren,' or false pa- 
triots, or false officials, or among all combined together, 
the Lord has most signally vindicated me, and I am too 
happily, too pleasantly situated in life to lind a single 
word of fault with any living mortal man, and do not in- 
tend to write a single line or word that shall pain the 
most sensitive ear. And so, if honorable politicians and 
statesmen have sold their friends and their party, and 
blotted and befouled their own peerless fame and record 
in that ' monej^-grab ' affair, they have the worst of it — 
have sold themselves dog-cheap, that's all. S5,000, 
$25,000, nor even $25,000,000 would have been no bid for 
me. But if they are content I will not complain. God 
reigns and all is safe. 

But when, oh when, will men learn that ' A good name 
is better than great riches? ' Echo, with its wonted im- 
pertinence, answers back — when? 

In this book-making age, various are the causes and the 
motives which induce men to turn authors. Ambition, 
revenge, wealth, fame, and vanity have furnished the 
main promptings. Of course, all who ' know me like a 
book' will at once and forever acquit me of all the vanity 
motives. O, oh! But by a great and herculean effort I 
have on this occasion so far mastered myself as to say 
what is reall}^ true^ that it would gratify me exceeding 
1* 



10 PREFACE. 

much to leave behind me when ' The curtain of Hfe falls,' 
a memento that I had once lived— something to be re- 
membered by — something to speak for me in behalf of 
benevolence and truth, of virtue and religion, that in after 
times it may be said of me, as of one of old, ' He being 
dead, yet speaketh.' 

Necessity is of minor consideration with me just at this 
particular period in my eventful history. In the kind 
Providence of God mine has been a wonderful history in- 
deed, and the clear indications of that same kind Provi- 
dence are that I should write it out for preservation; and 
for the guidance and encouragement of the little boys and 
young men who are to succeed me in ' The Grand Drama 
of Human Life.' 

These indications are clear and satisfactory to me — 

Pirst, because I am in comfortable good health and 
have nothing else to do ; no ministerial field to occupy or 
labors to perform. 

Secondly, because I have one of the most quiet, con- 
venient, spacious, well-furnished, well-lighted apartments 
to commit my thoughts to paper that any writer ever had, 
or need to have. 

Thirdly and lastly, a wonderful Providence has opened 
up the way and furnished the means for its publication, 
without one single word or effort upon my part in that 
direction; and does not all this indicate and mean some- 
thing? As the voice of many waters, the voice of many 
indications says unto me, write, and write I must and 
write I will for the glory of God and for the good of my 
race. Amen. 

As my readers f ollovv^ me they will very readily perceive 
that j!^ature put ' a pretty good sprinkle ' of spice and 



PREFACE. 11 

mirtlifuluess into my composition. Eut what of that? 
The great Dr. Hall says in his celebrated Maxim Book, 
that a hearty laugh is known the world over to be a health 
promoter, elevating the spirits and accelerating the blood 
circulation. Laughter ennobles, banishes gloom, and the 
heart that can laugh outright will never be guilty of 
' treason, stratagems, or spoils.' Laughter is better than 
physic, and whoever invents a new source of its supply 
deserves the name of a public benefactor, and whoever 
can write an article or a book the most laughter-promoting, 
and at the same time preserve its moral purity, is worthy 
of our lasting gratitude, etc. Taking all of that to myself, 
kind reader, I now forthwith intoduce you to my pretty 
little amusing, truth-telling Sketch-Book. 

The Autiioe. 



CHAPTER I. 

' WHAT THOU READEST UNDERSTAND.' 

It has been very beautifully and truthfully said, 
that ' the love of country ' is a sentiment natural to 
man and common to the inhabitants on every part of 
the globe. And with a Yankee, this feeling, I be- 
lieve, has the strong power of an abiding passion. It 
must, however, be admitted that ' Yankee' is not al- 
ways a passport to honor or favor ; and yet who ever 
saw^ a son of New England ashamed of his birth-place, 
his State, or his Country ? From every place under 
tlie arched canopy of heaven, where duty, business, 
pleasure, or fortune may have placed him, he turns 
his thoughts and his affections to ' the home of his 
youth and the land of his birth.' As the siueetest 
dear spot on this beautiful earth, and with an affec- 
tion which distance cannot diminish, nor time oblit- 
erate to him, ' New England' (and even glorious Old 
Maine), is a land of surpassing loveliness and beauty. 
If her snows are cold they are dean, and can be 
turned to good account, both for business or pleas- 
ure. If her skies are not deemed as bright as ' the 
sunny South,' in the grandeur of her lofty mountain 
summits, the stateliness of her towering, loftv forest 



14 cotton's sketch-book. 

2:)Ines, her beautiful bays and islands, lie finds enough 
to make liis early Jiome exquisitely beautiful and 
lovely, and dear to his heart. If her ' cloud-capped 
mountains' are bleak and bare, lier placid lakes and 
ponds, her rivers and her brooks are swarming with 
the finest of all ' the finny tribes' known to the epi- 
curean world, and are located with enchanting loveli- 
ness, and flow through romantic or flowery meads. 
Add to all this her proud Institutions of Literature 
and Religion claim the w^armest affection of his heart, 
and the tribute of his tongue. So say writers gen- 
erally, and so say I with all my heart. Good writers 
have said that ' Yankee men, nor Yankee principles, 
nor Yankee thrift will ever die out while this planet 
is inhabited, and should it ever be depopulated by a 
conflagraiion, the last survivor of a smouldering w^orld 
w^ould be a Yankee " in at the death" singly and 
alone, resolutely trying to put out the fire. And if 
it shall ever be destroyed by flimine, the very last 
loaf of bread will be found in tlie hands of a Yankee.' 
Well, I claim my birth-place in Yankeedom, away 
dov/n East, in glorious old Maine, and of course feel 
justly v^y proud of it. Tradition says that I am a 
lineal descendant of Rev. John Cotton, of Plymouth 
Colony notoriety. I am the fourth of nine children, 
of William and Margaret Cotton, of Pownal, Maine. 
And now for a little spice and ' good-natured pleas- 
antry,' I will just say, to the best of my information 



cotton's sketch-book. 15 

and belief, I was born on a very fair and beautiful 
Sabbath morning, just about sunrise, April 20tb, 
1800. And if I recollect distinctly, about the first 
thing I did after opening my eyes in this beautiful 
world, I raised a wonderful whimpering out-cry, per- 
haps fir^t to let everybody know that I had 'ariv ' at 
last, and secondly, to try the power and volume of 
my voice, and the strength and soundness of my 
lungs, which are very important items in starting out 
in life. My good mamma seemed to think that It re- 
quired a great deal of ' puffing aiul blowing ' to satisfy 
me in this regard, for I kept 'tooting it out' most lus- 
tily, almost without cessation, day and night, until I 
w^as at least nearly three years old — cried more than 
all her other children put together, and yet was ' as 
fat as a pig' all the time, and becoming more so every 
day. When I was just one month old, I think I was 
tied up In a handkerchief and suspended to the steel- 
yards, when it was found that my avoirdupois just 
balanced 'even up,' fourteen pounds gross. Beat that 
who can, and I'm sure that I am right in my weight, 
whether I distinctly recollect or not, 'for mamma said 
so.' She had searched and searched again, turned 
me over and searched, stood me up head foremost and 
feet foremost and crosswise, and searched, If possible to 
find out what on airth was the matter, ' O what can the 
matter be,' and gave It up in utter despair, except, 
perchance, that I must be ' ratlier weak In the gar- 



IG . cotton's sketcii-eook. 

ret,' not Laving sense enouo-h to know when I ^Yas 
well and doing well ; and I think she finally conclud- 
ed that so much nursing would never pay — that I 
was hardly worth the raising, and she concluded to 
let me have my own way, and bawl it out to my 
heart's content. Well, I 'held on to the even tenor 
of my way,' as nearly as I can recollect, until I w^as 
two-and-a-half or three years old, wdien a crisis 'ariv' 
that turned the scale in my favor altogether, and 
handsomely. Now what think you it was, gentle 
reader? Guess again, will you? Well, I may just 
as well tell you first as last, for I am more than sure 
that you might keep on guessing until doomsday and 
never hit it, never. Well, this was it — for I do seem 
to have some vague remembrance of it. I had tod- 
dled off into the kitchen, bawling, as usual, and the 
tono-s havino- fillen into the fire liad become blister- 
ing hot. And now it so happened that somehow, 
' by hook or by crook,' I had contrived to get them-i 
astride my little bare neck, when they forthwitli com- 
menced sizzliyig away, and I continued playing my 
favorite air of bawj, bawl, bawl. I kept on after the 
old sort, quite undisturbed for a season, when at last 
my good mamma thought I had pitched my tune upon 
a much higher key, and was tooting it out a little 
more lustily than usual, and she concluded that she 
would just look after me a little, at least once more. 
When lo ! the hissing tongs were still upon my neck, 



cotton's sketch-book. 17 

and absolutely had raised great blisters. She jerked 
off the tongs ' upon the double-quick,' gathered me 
up in her arms and nearly smothered me with her 
soothing kisses, ejaculating, ' Why you dear, sweet 
critter^ you do know when you are hurt, don't you ? ' 
Hope sprang up in her heart and she concluded to try 
and raise me. How well I have justified her newly 
inspired hopes, and ' what a mighty man' I have turned 
out to be the record will show most clearly. Whew ! 

Now little boys, is not that a pretty low starting 
point, a rather small pattern to make an Elder, a 
Judge, a Poet, and an Author ? You v,^ere never 
green enough to place a pair of hot tongs across your 
neck, were you ? And you have that much start 
'ahead of me,' in a career of usefulness and honest 
fame. Will you improve it ? — ivill you ? 

After I had grown up to be a man in the world, 
and to become ' a man among men,' my dear, sainted 
mother often repeated to me the ' bawling' portion of 
my life's eventful history. .And how she would 
. laugh outright at my witticism when I would tell her 
that I supposed when I was so fat and sleek I felt so 
happy and content that I wanted to ' laugh outright ' 
all the time, but didn't know how. But the tongs 
sat me right — after which, I laughed more than any 
other man I ever knew. I did not merely make up 
mouths and pucker up my face, but I laughed in good 
sober earnestness, if such a thing could be. I laughed 



18 cotton's sketch-book. 

all over, inside and out, and sometimes laughed until 
I was perfectly ashamed of myself, and the more I 
tried not to laugh the more I ivould in spite of all my 
efforts to ' hold up.' ' Laugh and be fat ' seems to 
have been my natural inbred motto. 

Well that is spiced enough, ain't it boys ? Perhaps 
too much — by far. 

My object, however, has been to cheer parents in 
their nursery cares who may chance to have rather 
forbidding or hopeless children. For 'behold what a 
great fire a little matter kindleth,' and so behold 
what a great and good man a little boy will make — 
sometimes. And then I would ' spice ' my pages a 
little, as I go along, to make them the more reada- 
ble, enlivening, and interesting — that's all. 



cotton's sketch-book. 19 



CHAPTER IT. 

When I could not have been more than about five 
years old, I gave evidence of having at least a little 
think about me, any how. And that little exhibition 
was very cheery to the heart of my dear, now sainted 
mother, who early taught me to say my little prayers, 
and to commit to memory the Westminster Cate- 
chism. The question was : Who made you ? An- 
swer — God. Mamma wdio made God, inquired I. 
What followed has enabled me to remember it most 
distinctly. For instead of hushing my inquiring 
spirit, she very kindly and patiently undertook to en- 
lighten me upon the subject, just as a parent should. 
Nobody made God ; he is not a man, but a Spirit. 
Though you cannot see him, he sees you and hears 
all you say. You must, then, be a good boy, and 
use no naughty or wicked words, for God loves all 
good little children. He made the sun, moon, and 
stars that shine so brightly. He made all the high 
mountains, and all the trees, the little brooks, and 
the pretty birds ; and you must never hurt any of 
them. And wantonly T never have, from that day 
to this. Neither have I ever uttered a single wicked, 
blasphemous oath in all my life. These early relig- 



20 cotton's sketch-book. 

ious trainings have exercised a saving, liolv influence 
over me, at home and abroad, in all the duties and 
conflicts of life. 

Yes, mother, thou art dear to me, 

Thy name how sweet; 
Hope says we soon shall meet again, 

At the Hedeemer's feet. 

And my dear, good father took similar pains with 
me. 

There is yet another rather amusing incident in 
my early history, which I distinctly remember all 
about, as distinctly as though it were an occurrence 
of yesterday. And I will record it for the amuse- 
ment of my little readers. The old folks of course 
will 'skip it,' one and all together. 

When 1 was about eight or nine years of age, I was 
mounted on Doll, our good old black mare, with a 
pillow-case, and sent about three miles to get a few 
apples. For young as I was I could 'stick to a horse 
like a monkey.' I got my apples, the lady owner 
divided them in the pillow-case about even, and 
threw them across the old mare's neck just before 
me, and I started home ' the biggest little man,' and 
perhaps the happiest little boy in all Christendom. 
Now I was always a A'-ery tender-hearted little fellow, 
and when about half-way home it occurred to me 
that it was not hardly fair to let eld Doll carry me 



21 

and the apples too ; so I sung out, wlioa ! ' reined 
up,' and somehow contrived to swing the pillow-case 
over my shoulder, and started forward again. The 
thing did not work right, it bothered me ever-so- 
much. But then to let the old mare carry me and 
the apples too was quite out of question with my 
young and tender heart, and so I held on to them as 
best I could, and rode up to the door with as much 
seeming triumph as would a conquering General en- 
ter into a surrendered city. Mamma met me at the 
door, and all smiling, said, ' My son, why have you 
those apples on your shoulder ?' ' Why I thought it 
too bad to let good old Doll carry me and the apples 
too, and so I thought I would just bring the apples 
myself!' 'Hall Columbia!' I never heard the last 
of that, and have laughed at the remembrance of it a 
thousand times since. And now j^ou may laugh at 
it until you cry, as I do while recording it. But it 
showed a good heart if a poor head, didn't It, boys ? 
And that's the moral of it all. What saith the good 
Book, ' The merciful man (or boy) is merciful to his 
beast.' But rather a small pattern, or starting-point, 
again, ain't it little boys — ain't it ? 

I will now treat my little readers and hig ones too, 
to a brace of incidents a little more creditable both to 
my head and heart, &c. 

When I was about ten years old a man by the 
name of Dodge, a most gluttonous cater, and a most 



22 

inveterate and filthy tobacco-chewer, while working 
for my dear, sainted father one day, got out of tobac- 
co, and tobacco he must have, quit Avork, or die. 
And so I was sent all over the neighborhood if possi- 
ble to procure him a quid. And when I returned 
empty as I went, he fairly sighed in his spirit, ' O 
what shall I do !' Pausing a moment, he drew out 
the lining of his vest pocket, which was perfectly sat- 
urated and stiff with the amber of his half-chewed 
quids — a nasty, sickening, filthy thing, and thrust it 
into his mouth as a substitute for the genuine article. 
I looked on with sickening disgust, and said to my- 
self right ' there and then,' away out in father's back 
field, ' I will never come to that,' and I never have. 
It may seem a little more heroic and manly when it 
is understood that I had already contracted the habit 
of using a little occasionally — could squirt the juice 
quite scientifically, and bade fair to become an effi- 
cient and finished performer. Now I ask in all 
truthful, sober earnestness, was not that a very wise, 
noble, and honorable resolve for Ji little boy volunta- 
rily to assume and maintain to the advanced age of 
more than threescore years and ten ? Beside avoid- 
ing the inconvenience and filthiness of the practice, 
estimating my tobacco bill to have been one cent per 
day from that time to this, compounded at ten per 
cent, I find that it has not only saved to me hundreds, 
but thousands of dollars — yes, thousands. I could 



23 

but will not tell you Low many. Work it out for 
yourselves, and see, and wonder, and then resolve as 
I did to let the filthy thing alone. Here is where 
my money for books comes in. Don't that pay ? 
My perusal of good books has ever furnished me with 
rich mental repasts, my extensive travels have sup- 
plied me with sight-seeings which I value far above 
all price, and all combined have made 'a man of me,' 
an honorable, useful, happy man of me, in more ways 
than one. And ' what man has done man can do,' 
says an old adage. Try it and see for yourselves, 
boys, will you — O will you ? 

My other little story comes off in this style, to wit : 
The winter before I should have been fourteen years 
old the then coming April, Morse's New Geography 
— a most beautiful and splendid book, was introduced 
into our school, and I wanted one very much indeed, 
but father did not feel hardly able to buy one for me 
at that time, nor did he think I really needed it, but 
told me if I would be a good boy, study hard, and 
learn all I could this winter, he would get one for me 
the next winter. That seemed to be a long time to 
look ahead and wait, under the disheartening circum- 
stances of * hopes deferred.' But I submitted to it 
with a pretty good grace, I believe, under all the cir- 
cumstances. Still the new Geography haunted all 
my day and night dreams, and it seemed as though I 
could not give it up. Now so it was at about mid- 



24 

winter, both father and mother went on a visit 'down 
east,' to be gone about two weeks. Thinks I, now's 
my time. 'Nothing ventm-e, nothing have." Sol 
went into the woods, chopped me a load of cord-wood, 
yoked up Old Star and Bright, hauled it out, and the 
next day loaded it all up good — for I knew just how 
to — bundled up my hay, and took the other necessary 
feed and lay it on my load, as I had done before with 
father, and at about sunset, as usual, hitched on Star 
and Bright and started off for Portland, a distance of 
about twenty miles, to be out all night in the cold, 
and all alone at that — put up at Buckman's tavern, 
our common stopping place, baited my oxen and 
treated myself to ' a lunch,' rested about the usual 
time, hitched up my cattle, and started off again with 
good heart under the inspiration of that new book ; 
arrived in Portland market early in the morning, 
called upon a cousin, told him if he would get me 
one of Morse's New Geographies he might have my 
whole load of wood, which he ' snapped at quick' 
(about half of its value). But what cared I for that. 
Every thing that I then wanted in the world, was 
just Morse's Geography. I grasped it eagerly, 
stowed it away carefully, and soon started for home, 
almost too happy to live ; arrived at home in good 
time, my dear sisters, bless 'em, for they are both 
alive yet, helped me to put out and feed the oxen, 
and had a good supper all smoking hot in readiness 



cotton's sketch-book. 25 

for me on the table. I ate hearty, and then laid me 
down to sweet repose and happy dreams. In the 
morning ' bright and early ' I hied me off to school, 
and with my new^ and beautiful, and long-desired 
book under my arm, I marched into my seat I reck 
on, in the most dignified and self-important manner. 
If I did not ' feel my keeping ' then I never did. My 
new book and my wonderful performance excited the 
attention of all the school, and my teacher said, ' I 
shall not wonder if you come out a great and good 
man some of these days.' O ! but didn't I stand 
high in my old shoes and patched coat that day ? 

My father and mother were so highly pleased that 
they could not help saying ' that was nobly done, but 
you paid a httle too '' dear for your whistle," that 
time, as Ben Franklin said. The next time be sure 
to " gather up the fragments that nothing be lost," 
and you may make your mark in the world yet, pos- 
sibly — w^ho knows ?' or words to tliat effect. Ah ! 
my little readers, you, too, may make your mark in 
the world — who knows? 

But was not mine a wonderful performance for a 
little boy not fourteen years old ? Get out a load of 
wood and drive a team twenty miles in a cold win- 
ter's night, and all ^lone, for a new book ! I am 
proud of the feat myself, even to this day, and have 
thought it quite too good to be lost, and so I have 
2 



26 cotton's sketch-book. 

taken time to write it out for your pleasure and 
benefit. 

A Night with a Bear — almost. At the age of 
a little past fourteen years, I was sent on business 
'away down East,' as far as Chesterville, a little west 
of Farmington, on the Sandy River. My route lay 
throuo-h Monmouth, and where else I do not at this 
time distinctly remember. Very early in the morn- 
ing, all full of hope and animation, I started off a-foot 
and alone. The evening of the second day^ at about 
sunset found me within about eight miles of my jour- 
ney's end, somewliat wearied and sore footed, but 
full of ambition. I was resolved to go through that 
ni^dit. The way just before me lay through a dark, 
pine forest, without an inhabitant for more than three 
miles, as I well knew, with large ponds on either 
side of it. With my heart in my mouth I plunged 
into this dark avenue at early night-fall. A full- 
orbed moon was shining magnificently fair, and fleecy 
clouds were afloat in the beautiful heavens overhead, 
and crentle zephyrs murmuring in the tree-tops. But 
manning up my courage I dashed on, seeing strange 
siohts, and hearing strange sounds from the forest 
and the ponds — a little boy all alone, far from home, 
and in a forest noted for the habitation of white-faced 
bears, and that, too, in the night-time ! Only think 
of that, will you ? 

Well, I was making fine progress, and had got 



cotton's sketch-book. 27 

more than half way through this dreary part of the 
road, when I was right suddenly ' brought up all 
standing ' with a great big white-faced bear, sure 
enough. It rose up just a little ahead of me, close by 
the side of the road. I was perfectly transfixed to 
the spot, utterly too much affrighted to halloo, and it 
would have availed me nothing if I had. With my 
hands upraised, and my straining eye-balls nearly 
popping out of my head with excitement, out of sight 
and hearing of any living human being save him 
wlio heareth and seeth all things — O what a moment ! 
And now it moves, and I must be moving too, and I 
sagely concluded that if I had to run I would run the 
right way, and off 1 started upon ' the double-quick,' 
with my eyes riveted upon the object of terror which 
had thus arrested my attention. Having gotten a 
little past it, I saw it all more clearly. And there it 
stood, sure enough, just in the very attitude of — O 
dear me — yes, just in the attitude of — of — a great — 
big — black — stump ! whew ! The moon shining upon 
a small spot of it through the trees accounts for its 
white face, and a pine bough wavfng in the breeze 
made it appear to m©ve, and thus all was satisfactorily 
explained. And marching right up to the stump 
after ' the Rubicon' was passed, and scanning all the 
premises carefully I laughed outright for joy, and 
actually wept for heart-felt gratitude to God for his kind 
preserving care over me — set out afresh on my way, 



28 cotton's sketch-book. 

and completed my journey before bed time. Receiv- 
ing a hearty greeting, and a good warm supper, I 
lay me down to rest in soft and peaceful slumbers. 

I record this story because it was all hear to me at 
the time, in all truthful soberness, and do so to ex- 
hibit one of my very wonderful exploits in my early 
youth, as being very justly a part and parcel of my 
life's eventful history. 

Now boys, ain't that quite a considerable bear 
story, after all ? I took a good hearty laugh when I 
got through with it ; and now you may have your 
laugh — for it is truly laughable. I have, however, 
some real bear and panther stories in reserve for 
your entertainment by-and-by. 

And thus closes this chapter. 



cotton's sketch-book. 29 



CHAPTER III. 

My kind and good parents were not members of 
any chnrcli, but sustained and sat under the ministry 
of the Congregational Church, and were constant at- 
tendants at ' the house of God,' as I said in my ' Keep- 
sake,' and from which I shall quote often and freely, 
as of right I may well do, ' without a wdiy or a where- 
fore,' may I not ? Well, then, if my parents had 
belonged to fifty churches they could scarcely have 
raised their children more carefully or tenderly. 
Vulgar or profane language, cruelty to animals, rob- 
bing bird's-nests, or orchards, and the violation of the 
Holy Sabbath were all strictly forbidden, and relig- 
iously enforced. 

We were all very early taught the * Westminster 
Catechism,' and select portions, and even whole 
chapters of the Sacred Scriptures — to bow around the 
matei'ual and paternal knee, to fold our little hands 
and use our infant tongues and lips in prayer to God 
and praises to his holy name. And as I have else- 
where said, this early, pious training has exerted a 
saving, restraining, and holy influence over me in all 
my affairs, and in all my extensive journeyings ' to 
and fro in the earth.' . And at an early period in life 



30 

it all eventuated in my happy conversion to God, and 
membership in another branch of the Christian 
Church, demonstrating the truthfulness of that Divine 
saj^ing, ' Train up a cliild in the way he should go 
and when he is old he will not depart from it.' Par- 
ents, do you hear that — and will you take heed to it? 
Will you ? 

It is a w^ell authenticated historical fact, that most, 
if not all the truly great and good men who have 
ever lived to bless the church, the State, and the 
world, attribute all their greatness, their goodness, 
and their fame, to the early instruction and training 
of a pious mother. For instance, the late Hon. John 
Quincy Adams, ' the old man eloquent,' said : 'All 
that I ever have been worth being, all that I now 
am, and all that I ever hope to be, I am indebted, 
under God, to the pious training of my sainted moth- 
er.' And such is my testimony in all true sincerity 
and love. 

My parents w^ere only in comfortable circum- 
stances, so that my opportunities for acquiring an ed- 
ucation were limited to the facilities of the common 
schools for only two or three months in the winter 
season, and even that only up to the eighteenth year 
of my age, at which time it will be seen, I emigrated 
West, soon married, and located myself in the forest. 
I was always very orderly and studious in school, 
though not very apt to learn, always secured the ap- 



COTTON^'S SKETCn-BOOK. 31 

probation of my teachers, loved them all dearly. 
And although 'the birch and the ferule' were in 
great demand, and in constant use in those days, 
neither of them were ever applied to me save once 
in all my school-boy days, and that very slightly, and 
for a most trivial offense. All that I now know of 
grammar, geography, natural philosophy, chemistry, 
astronomy, theology, or law (and I might about as 
well say arithmetic too), I have acquired by hard 
study and close application to my books, unaided by 
a teacher, since I was a married man. For particu- 
lars, turn to the closing chapter of this pretty little 
book. 

The decrees of God, foreordination, election, and 
reprobation, were the great cardinal doctrines taught 
and enforced upon my mind, both at home, at churcli, 
and in my catechism — all of which were ever dark 
and hard sayings to me, and rather ' an up-hill busi- 
ness' to believe. 

The Methodist denomination, a people every- 
where spoken against as being a poor, deluded, fanat- 
ical sect, were commanding no inconsiderable notice 
about this time, and from what I had heard of their 
' full and free salvation ' doctrine, I became rather 
anxious to hear them ; and before I was fifteen years 
old I prevailed upon my parents to let me go over to 
Durham and attend their church just once. And I 
was so perfectly captivated tliat I prevailed upon my 



32 cotton's sketch-book. 

parents to let me continue my attendance at pleas- 
ure. My mamma said she knew some of them well, 
and felt quite sure that they were a good people, and 
that she should interpose no serious objection, although 
at that time the gulf between Orthodoxy and Meth- 
odism was almost impassable. Yet true to prophetic 
inspiration, the Watchmen on the walls of our Zion 
are now seeing eye to eye, and standing shoulder to 
shoulder in Christian fellowship, as laborers together 
with God, ' in the kingdom and patience of Christ,' 
just as they should, which argues well for the speedy 
incoming of the glorious millennial era so long and so 
ardently prayed for, and so hopefully anticipated, 
when all shall know the Lord, from the least to the 
greatest, when his glory shall fill the whole earth, 
when there shall be one Fold and one Shepherd — 
one Lord and his name One. Amen, so let it be. 
Lord hasten in that blessed, happy, golden dispensa- 
tion, ' and let all the people say amen and amen.' 

In the summer and fall of 1815, a great and glori- 
ous revival interest was gotten up in Pownal and 
elsewhere, mainly under the ministerial labors of the 
late Rev. Daniel Plummer, a local Elder, during 
which time I became deeply penitent, and was most 
powerfully and happily converted at the Paine school- 
house, in the midst of a precious sermon founded up- 
on ' the spirit and the bride say come,' &c., pro- 
nounced by Rev. Caleb Fogg, a mighty minister in 



-cotton's sketch-book. 33 

his day. Tliis happy occurrence took place on the 
evening of February 13, 1816. The following lines 
will explain : 

O I was so happy I shouted loud and long — 

'Jesus all the day long, 
Was my joy and my song.' 

And I went home rejoicing and told my parents and 
friends what great things Jesus had done for me, 
took up famil}^ prayers, went abroad and prayed with 
the sick, and stood up to exhort on all proper occa- 
sions, feeling, deeply feeling, from that very hour, 
that ' a dispensation of the Gospel was committed to 
my hands, and that " woe was me if I preached not 
the Gospel.'" 

Yes, I felt all over and within, that God had a 
great and special work for me to do, and that he 
Avould open up the way for me to do it in his own 
good time, as he verily did most clearly, which see 
elsewhere as you pass along. 

LINES EXPERIMENTAL, 

' Ground out ' shortly after my happy conversion, 
at the age of only sixteen — my very first poetical 
effusion. Well here it is : 

Come all my friends by land or sea, 
And I'll tell you what's done for me; 
I'll tell you how the Lord did say, 

Come follow me without delay. 

2* 



34 COTTOX'S SKETCH-BOOK. 

The Lord did by his spirit call, 

His invitations are to all; 

His servants too* did woo and plead, 
That I should to my ways take heed. 

It you do not now this good day. 
The Lord may cast your soul away, 
Into that dreadful fier}^ hell. 
With all the nations that rebel. 

Awakening thoughts appeared to me 

In every object I did see; 
And oft I heaved the deep felt sigh, 
And felt that my poor soul must die. 

Ingratitude — my grievous sin 
Protecting care had 'round me been; 
Mercy on mercies I'd received, 
Yet the good spirit often grieved. 

'Though very moral and well trained. 
To sinful pleasures I seemed chained ; 
With God my heart was ill at ease, 
A thought enough the blood to freeze. 

Then I did read with great delight, 
The word of God, both day and night; 
Turning it over leaf by leaf, 
To find some word for my relief. 

But as I read more guilt I felt, 
Mine eyes to tears did often melt; 
Oft I retired for secret prayer — 
Conviction seized me deeper there. 



cotton's sketch-book. 35 

My life I strove hard to reform, 
But could not keep my purpose long, 
' Ere I's aware I'd sinned again, 
And faster bound in Satan's chain. 

I groaned and wept and wept again. 

And often thus did I complain; 

' Wretched!' I cried, at every breath, 
Who shall deliver me from this death. 

Thus musing, I to meeting went. 

To seek the Lord was fully bent; 
And O! the fountain I did see, 
W^ile Caleb Fogg did preach to me. 

From Eevelations twenty-two, 

He preached to me a doctrine new; 

Text— seventeenth verse, I will just say, 
While Jesus washed my sins away. 

Then glory, glory, I did sing. 
My soul is happy, bless my king. 

Yes— this I do remember well. 

So now the time I will you tell: 

'Twas February— thirteenth day, 
Eighteen-sixteen (1816), here let me say 
I drank from free salvation's well. 
My burthen then from off me fell. 

'Twas thus I sought, and thus I found. 
And feel that now I'm heaven bound. 
And hope beyond this vale of tears. 
To spend unnumbered, happy years. 

*Ilevs. Plammer, Fogg, Sev/all, and others. 



36 



CHAPTER IV. 

In the fall of 1817, several families in and about 
Durham and Pownal, emigrated to the then far 
West, and among them was good old Father Nojes 
and family, the most of whom were class-mates with 
me. His oldest daughter, Miss Dolly (or Dorothy, 
as we afterwards called her), was noted for her great 
piety and amiability. And without any thoughts of 
marriage, I thought there was nobody like Sister 
Dolly. And when she was about to leave the place 
and country forever, it affected me deeply. I thought 
her too bright a gem and jewel to be lost to me for- 
ever without an effort to secure her heart and hand 
when the proper time should arrive. And with me 
it seemed to be then or never. And so, young as I 
was, I made a proper move in the right direction. 
And we both took the matter into prayerful and de- 
liberate consideration, and after joyfully finding ' the 
coast clear ' I frankly stated that I felt deeply im- 
pressed that God had called me to preach the Gospel, 
and this micrht be God's method to send me to a 
strange people. She said such had been her own 
thoughts and feelings, and that she should never 
stand in my way, but rather rejoice to aid me every 



cotton's sketch-book. 37 

way she could. And she did that faithfully and fully, 
to the day of her death. Dear, sainted woman. 
' How sweet her memory still.' 

With suitable and satisfactory apologies for my 
early move in this matter, I very easily and readily 
arranged the whole business in a satisfactory manner, 
both with her parents and mine, which was by the 
full and hearty consent of all, that I should meet her 
out West next fall and marry as soon as it might 
be convenient. Now was not that rather a manly 
move, and a great undertaking for a lad of seventeen 
years only ? Well it was, indeed it was, and the 
making of me, too, in more ways than one, as the 
record will show. 

In December, after our friends had gone West, 
Rev. Joshua Randafl, our very popular and efficient 
travehng or circuit preacher, on his own notion, sug- 
gested to my class, that they or it should license me 
to exhort. O, no, never, said they all, as with the 
voice of one man. Brother Cotton is a very zealous, 
pious young man, to be sure, but he has neither mind 
nor information to warrant such a proceeding. There 
is where you are mistaken, brethren, said Bro. Ran- 
dall. I have sounded him all through and through, 
and I do tell you that he has a very original and su- 
perior, undeveloped mind, and his great piety and 
zeal, and his love of reading will bring him out. 
Pass him, brethren, on my account, and you'll all be 



38 cotton's sketch-book. 

astonished to see what a great and eloquent mmlster 
he will make some of these days. 

And they did pass me thus. And many of them 
have told me since, that the prediction ot Brother 
Randall has been amply fulfilled in me. And may I 
not ask, with great humility to be sure, does not the 
history of my humble, eventful life abundantly affirm 
it too ? Read it all carefully through, and see — will 
you? 



cotton's sketch-book. 39 



CHAPTER V. 

I pause riglit here to supply a deficiency which I 
could not well avoid. I have just stated that I was, 
at an early day, most powerfully and happily con- 
verted, and went on my way rejoicing — 

Full of glory and of God. 

But I should be untrue to truth, untrue to myself, 
and untrue to the church and the world not to say, 
after a season of great rejoicing, ' a change came 
over the spirit of my dream ; ' clouds and darkness 
encompassed me round about, and I was indeed most 
sorely buffeted and tempted, and indeed had I been 
deceived, and 'run before I was sent? ' 

Who could resolve the doubt 
That tore my anxious breast? 

The next Sabbath was Elder Plummer's preaching 
day, and with what prayerful solicitude I courted its 
coming, and in my closet and upon my knees how 
fervently did I pray that God would make him the 
instrument of restoring peace and comfort to my 
torn, benighted, and afflicted soul ! I had gotten 



40 

myself all ready for church. I entered my closet 
yet again praying — O blessed Lord 

Send some message from thy word 
That shall joy and peace afford; 

And as if specially directed and inspired of God in 
the selection of his text, what should it be but, ' That 
which ye have already, hold fast till I come.' — Rev. 
ii.-25. 

O, how that text just met my case as ' a word in 
season.' And how the good Elder did comfort, cheer, 
and strengthen the hearts and the faith of voung con- 
verts and generally the tempted followers of the meek 
and lowly Saviour. And God by his spirit applied 
it all to my poor heart, so that I was again ' filled 
with joy unspeakable and full of glory.' And from 
that day to this, I have never once doubted for a 
single moment the genuineness of my conversion, 
nor that I was specially inspired of God and moved 
upon b}^ the Holy Ghost to ' Preach Christ and Him 
Crucified — 

To a sin-smitten world.' 

Early in the fall of 1818, I secured a passage on 
board of a vessel bound to Baltimore, Capt. Samuel 
"Wood, now lying off in the beautiful Casco Bay — 
Falmouth foreside. And having bade my dear good 
parents and friends a fond and tearful adieu, I went 



cotton's sketch-book. 41 

on board with a bold and brave heart, Sept. 20th, 
and was soon under way for my new home and des- 
tiny in the wilds of the then Far West, — more to 
preach the crospel of Christ than to gain either wealth 
or fame. Yes, I regarded the then state of affairs, 
and the wonderful undertaking upon my part, as a 
special opening of Providence to transport myself to 
a missionary field of labor where my humble minis- 
terial services might be very acceptable and useful 
as it came out in the end. Although at that time I 
could not well conceive how such could be the case ; 
and but for the 

* Lo, I am with you always,' 

my heart must have failed me and I should have 
abandoned it at once and forever. But being full of 
faith and hope and zeal, having put my hands to the 
gospel plow in good faith and in good sober earnest- 
ness,' I resolutely resolved that I would neither turn 
back nor even ' look back.' 

And after we had glided out of port into mid- 
ocean, being comforted with everlasting consolation 
and good hope through grace, I sat me down and 
ground out the following little poem, written at sea, 
at the tender age of eighteen years only, and now 
place it at your disposal. 



42 



COTTON S SKETCH-BOOK. 

A CALL TO THE MINISTRY. 

Since first my sins were all forgiven, 
And I enjoyed a hope of heaven, 
I've wept and praved that Adam's race 
Might taste the joys of pardoning grace. 

I feel I have a special call, 
To woo and warn both great and small. 
To shun those paths that lead to woe, 
I tremble — still the voice says — go. 

Go in my name and you shall find 
Me always near and always kind, 
To aid, direct, protect, defend. 
And I will love you to the end. 

Go blow the gospel-trumpet loud. 
Go warn the gay unthinking crowd. 
Go comfort those who are distressed, 
And sympathize with the oppressed. 

Nay, even weep with those that weej). 
And feast on joy with all ' my sheep; ' 
This is my duty, well I know. 
For still the voice to me says — go. 

Well, loving Master, here I'll say, 
I freely give myself away, 
O make me. Lord, an instrument 
To lead j30or sinners to repent. 

And ' woe is me ' unless I do. 
So all my friends I bid adieu. 
And journey to ' a distant clime,' 
Whence we may meet no more in time. 



cotton's sketch-book. 43 

Farewell — my parents here below, 
My Master calls and I must go; 
Farewell — my brothers kind and dear, 
For you I've shed many a tear. 

Farewell — my loving sisters, too, 
A duty now I have to do. 
Farewell — my brethren in the Lord, 
Love's tie is not a feeble chord. 

Farewell — poor mourner in distress. 
All heaven is ready you to bless. 
Farewell — my friends of every kind, 
I'm called to leave you all behind. 

Farewell — ye thoughtless, prayerless crew, 
O think — what will become of you 
When God shall shall set this world on fire, 
And make you feel his dreadful ire. 

Come, — go with me, — there's grace in store 
Enough for all, — and millions more; 
With glory's port now in full view, 
I say to all, adieu — adieu! ' 

Remember, this was written at sea, at the youthful 
period of eighteen years only. And how could I, 
and how can I or anybody else doubt my very early 
and special call to the work of the ministry, although 
seemingly so forbidding and incomprehensible. But 
then, hath not God said, ' my ways are not your 
ways,' and hath He not chosen the foolish things of 
this life to confound the mighty ; that the power and 



44 

excellency may appear to be of God and not of man ? 
It is the Lord's doing and marvelous in our eyes. 
The ministerial part of my record, which I regard 
as being the best of the wine, I have reserved for 
the last of the feast. 

Well, after a long and tedious journey of nearly 
three months by land and by sea, I safely arrived at 
the point of my destination. I cannot tell you how 
happy I was, nor how cordially I was received and 
made welcome to my new home m the fertile regions 
of the West ; you must guess at that. At that time 
I had no thouojhts of immediate marriao-e. But I 
had not been there long before Elder Plummer, my 
father in the gospel, who had moved out there the 
year before, said to me. Brother Alfred, I am going 
to give you a little piece of advice. We all know how 
the affair stands with you and sister Dolly (as we 
then called her). Now I have this to say to you, 
that any young man that can perform such a praise- 
worthy feat as you have done, can take care of a 
wife, and I advise you to marry the very first thing 
you do. I named the matter to my intended, or the 
suggestion of Elder Plummer, our beloved minister. 
I also counseled father and mother Noyes, and all 
seemed to agree with Brother Plummer. • Of course 
I had no objection, could have none. And so provi- 
dentially and circumstantially I was married a few 
months before I was 19 years of age, and shortly 



45 

after located myself in a little snug log cabin out in 
the open woods, where snakes and wolves and bears 
and panthers, in common parlance, were somewhat 
as thick as fleas or mosquitos, and went to work with 
a mind and a will to clear me up a farm to sustain 
me and mine, while I went about doing good. It 
will be recollected that I went out west with an e^- 
horter's license in my pocket, and immediately set 
about my Father's business. I established meetings 
in the new settlements, and our traveling preachers 
entered them as preaching-places on the plans of 
their circuits. I would mve anvthino; for one of mj 
early sermons just as they fell from my lips. It 
would be a great novelty, I reckon. But then it 
seemed to be me or nobody. My zeal and accredited 
piety and the necessities of the case seemed to sus- 
tain me and keep me in good demand. And to help 
the thing along, I found myself in good demand as a 
music-master and common-school teacher in the win- 
ter seasons. I did not fairly begin to be qualified for 
either, but I was thought to be about as good a sub- 
stitute as they could ' scare up,' and I guess I was ; 
and by close attention and application I managed to 
keep a little ahead of the times, and finally to work 
my way to a somewhat honorable distinction among 
men, as the record will show. 

We had great hardships and privations to encoun- 
ter in our rude, humble, forest home. There ap- 



46 cotton's sketch-book. 

pearecl to be little or no money in circulation, and as 
a consequence, both labor and produce were marked 
at very low figures. Our roads were at times almost 
impassable, our nearest reliable mill fifteen or twenty 
miles away ; and we had to use hand mills of our 
own ; and as to tea and coffee we at first well-nigh 
had to dispense with altogether. We did not antici- 
pate much, and were happy and content for the pres- 
ent, looking forward with hope for better times soon. 
And our fondest hopes w^ere more than realized. 
The forests furnished us w^ith a plenty of fine nuts 
to crack on rainy days and in long evenings. Deer 
and turkeys were very plenty, very good, and very 
easily taken, so that even a forest life had its charms 
as well as its privations and hardships. Deer would 
resort to their licks, where they fell an easy prey to 
the hunter's unerring rifle. Turkeys were also taken 
with rifles, but most successfully in turkey-pens 
wdiich were built up of little poles like 'a cob house,' 
a little ditch or ravine passing under one side of it 
coming up in the middle of the pen, poles laid over 
the ditch on the inside of the pen, so that when the 
turkeys wished to 2;et out, instead of o;oinoj to the 
center of the pen where they came in, they would 
keep walking around and around to get out, and so 
were taken in vast numbers, w^hich helped along 
amazingly, besides the sport of the thing which was 
quite amusing. 



cotton's sketch-book. 47 

A few more thrilling incidents in my early forest 
life will right here engross my pen for the pleasing 
entertainment and information of my readers. Pois- 
onous snakes were very plenty and dangerous. The 
copper-head was a wze(?7?. snake. He would lie in a 
coil somewhere or somehow concealed from view, 
and if you chanced to pass along in striking distance 
of him you were quite sure to be bitten by him with- 
out any note of warning whatever. The rattle-snake 
was more honorable. He'd shake his rattle and mve 
you time to get out of his reach before he would bite 
or rather strike vou. On risino; in the morning: you 
would sometimes find a copper-head coiled up in the 
corner of your room, and soon after another one and 
so on. Mrs. Cotton, one time, in stepping out doors, 
jerked a copper-head out of his coil by his fangs in 
the skirt of her dress. I once put my bare foot down 
close to a rattle-snake as big as my arm. He notified 
me of my danger, and I escaped ' as by the skin of 
my teeth.' ' Pretty snaky,' was it not ? 

Wolves were also quite plenty. They never really 
beset me, although they were often prowling all 
about my cabin home and killed all my sheep in a 
single night in early times. They are not dangerous 
' sincrle-handed and alone,' but fearful in a o;ano-. A 
dozen of them once beset a single man who backed 
up to a large tree and defended himself with a large 
club or shelalah, killed about half of them, and the 



48 cotton's sketch-book. 

balance took to flight and left him to take care of 
himself which he did most heroically and handsomely. 
Didn't he, boys ? 

Bears were also quite numerous and hard upon 
your calves and pigs. One fairly beset me in the 
night time, stopped me and ray horse for a season, 
and then went on his way down the creek, and I 
went on my way home, ' more scared than hurt.' 

Old Aunt Betsey Garretson in early times, went 
out to drive up the cows, when a big bear beset her. 
Jowler seemed to say you shall not hurt my mistress 
while I'm about, and so he nabbed the bear by the 
ham-string, and then they took it tussle about. Old 
Bruin (as we call the bear) kept turning round and 
round trying to get his behind before him so that he 
could get at Jowler, but somehow could not make 
that game work ; two could work at that about as 
well as one, and Jowler understanding that game full 
quite as well as Bruin did. Meantime, Aunt Betsey, 
with a big club, walked into Bruin right and left, 
' like a thousand of brick ' (as the saying is), and 
when she could hit Bruin without danger to Jowler, 
let him have it right and left with a will. At last, 
with a double-handed over-lick ker whack, she took 
him across his how do'do department, stove in his 
forecasJe, when he fell quivering at her feet, and slie 
' gave him Jesse ' to her heart's content, ' left him 
alone in his glory ' — drove up the cows — reported 



49 

progress— and asked leave to sit again. Now ain't 
that a bear story for you worth teUing? I knew 
Aunt Betsey well, and know this story to be sub- 
stantially true. Well, that must do for bear stories. 



50 cotton's sketch-book. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Shortly after, I was married, according to the Good 
Book ; for I most emphatically ' left father and 
mother' (dear and revered names), and clove unto 
her to whom I was affianced ; reared me a cabin, and 
settled in the woods. All was one vast unbroken 
wilderness around me, save here and there a little 
cabin and a small opening, the labor of the new-com- 
ers the previous year. These were scattered about 
on what was then called Green Brier, as before ob- 
served ; so called by hunters, because of the preva- 
lence of a brier of that color that abounded in the 
forest. My cabin was far removed from any other 
habitation, ' solitary and alone,' at first. I had bushed 
out a wagon-track, as we call it, and had, also, 
' blazed' a foot-path, a 'nearer cut' to the settlement. 
My mind reverts with an indescribable emotion to 
that period of my life. Many is the time and oft 
that I have entered this dismal and solitary homeward 
path, when, for a good part of the way, it was so 
dark that I could not see my hand to save me — was 
compelled to feel out the path with my feet ; with 
my heart in my mouth, my hair Avell-nigh erect, and 
my blood nearly curdled in my veins, for the prowl- 



cotton's sketch-book. 51 

ing wolves were about my path, and had often raised 
their hideous yells in my very door-yard. Indian 
habitations and tragedies, fresh upon the mind, in 
this dark solitude, and lost in tliese dark meditations, 
when all of a sudden off would bound something 
with an unfamiliar tread, and then a hideous yell of 
wall-wall- wah-wah, ho-ho-ho-ho. The shock over, 
you would feel thankful to find your scalp safe, and 
that the cause of your affright was the bounding of 
the affrighted deer, and the night-owl, ' in hoarser 
harmony,' tuning its vesper notes of praise. 

Onward you would wend your dubious way, until 
your ear would catch the unearthly melody of a fa- 
miliar ' Aoo-hoo,' * which your anxious and lonely 
wife would, ever and anon, send over the dark forest, 
to cheer your heart and direct your steps. Reader, 
this is no fanciful sketch. Often have I heard that 
welcome sound, compared to which the music of Or- 
pheus and the mellow notes of the ^olian harp 
would be grating discords. As you came near home, 
you would see a brisk light, and your wife standing 
in the door, as if to penetrate the gloom to get a 
glimpse of you. At your ap})roach, she would fly to 
meet you at the bars, and greet you with, ' My dear, 
are you come ? I have been so alarmed for you ; the 
wolves have been howling back here ever since dark. 

* Hoo-Yioo, let the first hoo be uttered with a very full and prolonged 
sound ; the other ' hoo ' with a soft, sweet cadence, and it will be perfectly 
musical. Try it. 



52 

O ! I am so glad that you have arrived safely.' As 
you enter your neat cabin-home, you find supper has 
been long waiting ; your little boy asleep, whom you 
kiss again and again ; then you give thanks and eat ; 
and after prayers, retire to rest, and after telling 
many a long yarn, and recounting the mercies of 
God, you fall asleep in the kind embrace of Morpheus, 
and your rest is sweet. 

Sometimes, as you were going through the woods 
with a hickory torch, you would frighten all the 
beasts and birds along your track, and they, in turn, 
would frighten vou. I remember, as though it were 
yesterday, that when coming home through a by- 
path, with a torch in my hand, that cast a dark circle 
all around me amid the green foliage, when all of a 
sudden I beheld two flaming balls of fire, that looked 
frightful indeed. What could it be ? They moved, 
they disappeared ; with a kind of snort and a bound 
it passed off, and came upon me in another direction, 
and then the same blazino; balls of fire were starino- 
me full in the face. I tell you reader, it would bring 
one unaccustomed to a forest life ' all up standing.' 
Conjecture was baffled, and all I had to do was to 
trust in God and go ahead. It soon left me, and I 
passed on to receive another cordial welcome home, 
with abundant matter of conjecture, and for an 
hour's chat. It was evidently a deer, as I afterward 
learned. Hunters sometimes kill them in that way ; 



cotton's sketch-book. 53 

it was called ' firing deer ; ' tlieir glaring eyeballs re- 
flect the light in this manner. The hunters took 
many of them, and wild turkeys in abundance. Well, 
notwithstanding I was unaccustomed to a forest life, 
and was often put up to all I knew to get along with 
the strange sights and sounds that accosted me, yet 
many a time and often have I left my bed at mid- 
night, and gone far out into the woods to relieve my 
faithful Jowler, when he would raise the yell, to let 
me know that he had somethincr treed. If it were 
on a sapling, I was sure it was only an opossum ; I 
would fell it, and Jowler was ready for him. If on 
a large tree, I was sure it was a coon ; would strike 
up a fire, and wait till morning, when one, two, or 
three coons were sure to be taken. Jowler never 
missed fire, though I often shot wide of the mark. 
Those, after all, were happy days ; and, indeed, there 
is something so fascinating and romantic in the life of 
a backwoodsman, that I often sigh for those days 
again. But I must forbear, and hasten to report a 
panther story, which is a panther story, and no mis- 
take. 

A Night with a Panther. — About the middle 
of Nov., 1822, I and my lady, with our only child, a 
little son about two years old, had been to Mrs. C's 
father's, and had tarried until 8 or 9 o'clock in the 
evening, when we started home, about a mile in the 
unbroken forest. The moon was shining beautifully, 



54 cotton's sketch-book. 

about an hour and half high — a few fleecy clouds 
were floating gracefully in the heavens — the moan- 
ings of the night-winds as they gently murmured 
through the tall tree-tops, the rustling of the sere 
and falling leaves, the shadowing of the silver queen 
of night as she was gently sinking to rest, and the 
deep solitude that surrounded us, cast a kind of pleas- 
ing melancholy around our homeward path. Still 
we were happy, and were beguiling the moments 
with some agreeable chat, when all of a sudden Mrs. 
C. cried out, ' my dear, there's a wolf! ' Just at that 
moment my eye caught the object, some four or five 
yards to my right, in an old tree-top, covered with 
green briers. I had just passed a large tree that 
stood on the edge of the path. I stepped back in a 
moment, and Mrs. C. coming up, we stood behind it 
together, and by side glances endeavored to ascertain 
Avhat kind of a customer we had. I discovered some 
animal in a crouching position, but the deep shade 
that enveloped him, and my ' own excited feelings 
were such that I could arrive at no satisfactory con- 
clusion. In a moment or two he squatted flat upon 
the ground. I tried to hope that it was Jowler that 
had come out to meet us. Mrs. C. said no ; fearful 
to have him approach even if it were him, I ordered 
him home again and again ; but it was ' all no go.' 
' You are right, my dear,' said I, 'it is not Jowler, 
sure enough, and we must do something soon, oz' the 



cotton's sketch-book. 55 

moon Avill be down, and we left entirely In the dark. 
Now do you take huh and go ahead, and I will stand 
here and keep the animal's attention on me, and 
when you get a good start I will then follow, and If I 
shall be devoured, better one perish than all. Take 
good care of yourself and huh^ and meet me in heaven, 
for If It Is God's will to call me hence, I feel through 
mercy that I am not altogether disqualified or un- 
willing to go. 

' Do you think that I would leave, you here alone 
to be devoured by wolves ? No, never,' said Mrs. C. 
' I can never do that ; I will stay by you be the re- 
sult what It may.' 

All my remonstrances were vain, and I gave it up. 
She wished me to throw the animal a bit of fresh 
meat which we were taking along for breakfast, and 
then immediately start. I had many objections to 
this, but told her to start with huh^ and I would stand 
between them and harm, and if the animal followed 
I would throw It to him and we would escape for life. 
It was a critical moment, but we finally mustered 
fortitude to start ; my eyes nearly popping out of 
their sockets, being so Intensely fixed upon my un- 
welcome guest. I fancied I saw him move as we set 
forth, my iiair seemed to stand erect ; my blood to 
curdle in my veins, as I almost fancied his fangs upon 
me. But no ! there he lay until we had gained the 
distance of a rod or more, then turning my eye away, 



66 

we ' put out in double-quick time ' for our lone cot- 
tage in the wilderness, some half a mile off. We 
had not gone far when we heard him trotting on the 
leaves, taking a cross-cut toward the house. 

'It must be Jowler,' said I, 'but let us hasten.' 
When, however, we arrived at the bars, Jowler 
came out of his kennel, and bade us welcome home, 
and happy indeed were we to be there all safe and 
sound. As we entered Jowler went in with us. We 
had hardly seated ourselves and were with gratitude 
talking of our w^onderful escape, and nearly smother- 
ing our little babe with kisses, not having yet struck 
up a light, when Jowler began to sniff, and going to 
the door raised a portentous growl. I suddenly 
opened the door, when lo ! there sat, on the door- 
step, the cause of our affright, and made a bound to 
enter. I caught him and Jowler between the door 
and both went out together. After a short scuffle 
Jowler played off, and my friend came and sat down 
again upon the door-step. 

The moon had about gone down, and having what 
we called in those days, a ' stoop ' over the door, I 
could not yet determine what it was, but concluded 
that I had had enough of him for once — that I would 
try and give him his walking paper; and having 
neither axe or rifle at hand, I took the fire-pole, 
opened the door a little — Mrs. Cotton held it. I 
thrust out the fire-pole — a small hand-spike — and 



COTTON S SKETCH-BOOK. 57 

brouglit down, full tilt upon his pate, a fair lick that 
would well-nigh have felled a beef. He tumbled 
over, without the least outcry, not even thanking me 
for my strikifig attachment ; picked himself up in a 
moment, and bounded over the fence like a dart, and 
Jowler after him, but he soon returned without tree- 
ing him, or coming in contact with him. 

What it was, I could not contrive. I was now 
satisfied that it was no wolf, and a panther had not 
once entered my imagination, and well that it had 
not. After returning thanksgiving and praise to our 
unseen but kind deliverer, we went to rest, and our 
slumbers were sweet as our rude home was lovely 
and pleasant. In the morning, I went to an old 
woodsman residing some distance off, to report the 
case and ask for information. 

* Why,' he said, ' it was a panther. He had scent- 
ed your fresh meat, and had waylaid your path. He 
was just in the act of bounding upon you when you 
discovered him. Your timely discovery and the tree 
baffled him. He intended to have waylaid you again, 
and would have done it if you had given him time. 
No light being in the house, he was intent to follow. 
There are panthers about — I have heard them. It 
is a wonderful escape that you have made, truly.' 

And then 1 recollected all the panther stories I 
had ever read, and saw them all verified to the letter, 
3* 



58 cotton's sketch-book. 

in the manoeuvering of my ' unknown guest.' And 
at the recognition, my blood chilled again, and I 
adored the hallowed name of my great deliverer, 
who, for wise, and great and good purposes, merci- 
fully preserved me, perhaps to proclaim salvation to 
the sons of men, and to take part in the great and 
glorious Temperance enterprise ; and I trust, in that 
particular, that I have not been spared in vain. 

Be that as it may, I and my good lady still survive. 
My son, my dear lamented son, died several years 
ago, leaving his second wife and three children be- 
hind him. Two other little sons and our only daugh- 
ter, and the sweetest one that ever blessed a parent, 
sleep beside him in the peaceful grave. Our only 
surviving child is a son, married and settled in Illi- 
nois. I incidentally note these things here. Jowler, 
poor fellow, my faithful, trusty friend, came to a 
tragical end many long years ago. O, what changes 
have occurred since that fearful night ! The howling 
wilderness has become as the garden of God. Fine 
farms, and orchards, and mansions, and school-houses, 
and seminaries, and colleges, and churches, and turn- 
pikes, and canals, and railroads, and telegraphs sur- 
round me on every side. (See my Forest Ode.) 
And I am now writino; this sketch within one mile of 
the spot where I was beset w-ith that panther, which 
I might have killed, and, no doubt, should, had I not 
been under the impression that it was old father 



59 

Mead's yellow dog that had become lost. In a forest 
life, ' Love me, love my dog,' is true to the letter. 
The real panther or his mate was shortly beheld sun- 
ning himself in the lofty tree-tops, by one of my 
neighbors, when, quick as thought, his rifle was at 
his shoulder, his eye darting along the iron tube of 
death. The leaden messenger summoned him to sur- 
render forthwith, which was instantly responded to, 
and he was borne ofi' in triumph, as others had been 
before him. This one, however, appeared to be 
' what the shoemaker threw at his wife,' as we nei- 
ther saw nor heard anything more about panthers in 
the neighborhood after that. 

Tender and thrilling recollections of the past come 
rushing back upon me as thus I write, and admonish 
me that life is short and uncertain — that this earth is 
not my home, nor would I have it be. And oh ! 
forbid it heaven, that this beautiful world should be 
any the worse off" for my having been in it. But I 
must forbear, with gratitude to God, and with a 
thrilling and abiding interest, do I cherish the re- 
membrance of 

' The niglit I spent with a panther.' 

Reader — my unvarnished and simple story is told 
— truth, every word truth. And here for the present 
I take my leave of you, and hasten to my prayers 
and repose. Good-night, children, and happy dreams 
to vou all. 



60 cotton's sketch-book. 



CHAPTER VII. 

It will be remembered that I emigrated "West 
with ' a license to exhort in my pocket,' or better, as 
* a licensed exhorter.' And I forthwith set about 
mj Master's business with good heart and in good 
earnest, although under the most forbidding and dis- 
couraging circumstances. I felt that I was very 
awkward, unlearned, and inexperienced. I felt it all 
deeply and keenly, and strangers said that I was the 
next thing to 'just nothing at all,' and never could 
' work my way.' But the friends who knew me 
from my very birth, knew all about my happy con- 
version and my humble beginning, animated by the 
wonderful advancement I had made during the year 
I had tarried behind them, still had hope and held 
on to me (with a trembling grasp to be sure), and 
advocated my advancement to minis ierial orders. 
And after ' beating about the bush ' for two or three 
years among the ' pros and cons,' the quarterly- 
meetino; conference, which was held in connection 
with the never to be forgotten Moore's Hill Camp- 
meeting, thought it high time to make a final dispo- 
sition of my case, either for or against me. And so 
it was arranged tliat I should preach a test sermon 



61 

at the stand Sabbath morning, at sunrise, and the 
sainted Thomas Hitt was to follow me, in order to 
save the camp-meeting interest if I should fail. As 
may well be supposed, I spent a restless, sleepless 
night, in mental agony and fervent prayer, and the 
language of my heart was, ' Lord, seal up my lips,' 
or ' give me great freedom of speech,' as seemeth 
best to thee. I turned over Gideon's Fleece, and 
turned it over again for a sign from heaven, and I 
did receive, or verily thought and felt that I did re- 
ceive, divine intimations of special aid ; still I went 
upon the stand so full of trembling that I could 
scarcely maintain my critical position. But I no 
sooner began to open my mouth than God began to 
fill it with ' words that breathe and thoughts that 
burn.' I was no longer my former timorous, stam- 
mering self, but quite another man altogether. And 
if the Holy Ghost ever inspired a man to preach, it 
inspired me on that occasion, and I ' swung clear,' 
as we ministers say, and sat down amidst a perfect 
tornado of amens, of shouting, and of praise, from 
all over the entire encampment, and I too was filled 
with shoutings and with 'joy unspeakable and full of 
glory.' Hallelujah ! Amen I 

Brother Hitt said it was perfectly useless for him 
to try to preach after such a perfect shower of salva- 
tion, and chose rather to change the programme into 
a kind of love feast or praise-meeting, and surely it 



62 cotton's sketch-book. 

proved to be ' none other than the house of God and 
the very gate of heaven.' After the services were 
concluded, the Presiding Elder, the sainted, eloquent 
John Strange, of precious memory, the preachers, 
and the brethren generally gathered around me 
thick and fast, and extended to me their friendly 
hands, their warm greetings, and their words of 
gOT)d cheer. ' The cloud has parted,' said they, ' the 
true light now shineth, and the coast is clear. Go 
ahead. Brother Cotton, and the Lord bless and pros- 
per you abundantly.' And I was recommended to 
the proper conference for a license to preach, and 
passed clear 'without touching bottom or shore,' 
and from that day to this I have had an open field 
and ' fair sailing.' 

I continued meetings about home and elsewhere 
nearly every Sabbath, in the new settlements and 
new school-houses, and had the unspeakable pleasure 
to see the work of the Lord prosper in my hands. 
And my services on funeral occasions were in great 
and constant demand. I have preached as high as 
five funeral sermons in one week ; have left my 
plough in the furrow, and my scythe in the swath, 
and turned out my school again and again to respond 
to these pressing calls, happy and content to believe 
and know that God, in his good Providence, was 
making my humble services both acceptable and 
profitable to my fellow-men, at least in a very credi- 



cotton's sketch-book. 63 

ble degree, and which services were for years alto- 
gether gratuitous. Money, goods, and presents, for 
my first twenty -five years, all told, did not amount 
to more than $100.00. Absolutely not more than 
$100.00, a sum scarcely sufficient to foot the w^ear 
and tear of my boot and shoe bill in the actual ser- 
vice, to say nothing about the ease and comforts of 
home, neglected business, and the wear and tear of 
body and mind, which I voluntarily and most cheer- 
fully sacrificed at the shrine of duty, that I might 
' make full proof of my ministry and finish my 
course with joy.' Choosing rather to be poor and 
useful than rich and worthless, Moses-like, because I 
had respect to tlie recompense of reward, both in 
this world and the next. Love for Christ and love 
for souls was the great moving cause that impelled 
me onward and upward in this great work of faith 
and love. That's so. 

One hundred dollars only for tw-enty-five years of 
constant mental and physical labor ! Well, what of 
that ? Was it because my services were not highly 
and duly appreciated ? Certainly not, because ' the 
Lord bless you, and come again as soon and often as 
you can ' were generally the parting words of my 
hearers and my friends, and from abroad, too, the 
Macedonian cry was constantly sounding in my 
ears, ' Come over and help us.' Was it because the 
people did not love me dearly ? Why, no, for they 



64 cotton's SIvETCH-BOOK. 

did love me almost to idolization, as they scarcely 
ever loved any other man, save the truly beloved 
Rev. Benjamin Plummer, over whom I threw my 
hymeneal mantle when the measure of my days and 
the cup of my pleasures were full. There never 
was a more universal favorite among all the people, 
men, women, and children. Rev. A. J. Cotton has 
not an enemy in the world hardly ; scarcely enough, 
said the people, to save him from the threatened 
woe. And that was even so until the days of the 
late fearful rebellion, when the sympathizing portion 
of them broke away from me like breechy sheep over 
a fence. Well, then, what was the reason that I did 
not receive more, do you ask ? Simply because there 
was no money in the country. The people general- 
ly in the forests were poor and had hard toiling to 
get along in opening up their new farms. A thou- 
sand times, perhaps, has it been said to me, ' Brother 
Cotton, we all love you dearly, and should indeed be 
very glad to help you, but it is just as much as we 
can do at present to get along ourselves, but we'll 
not forget you.' Neither did they. When the first 
clerk for the new township of Manchester was need- 
ed, whom should he be but my humble self, and that 
too by an almost unanimous vote against three hon- 
orable competitors. Well, that paid some, and 
helped me a little in more ways than one. So when 
an associate judge for the civil and criminal courts of 



65 

the county was needed, I swept the platter clean, as 
the saying is, with four candidates and two to be 
elected. I received 2,210 votes out of 2,500, the 
highest majority, all things considered, that any 
other living man ever received. And this office I 
held for seven long eventful years, which helped me 
along vastly, as I said before. Meantime at the in- 
stance of my friends, I received the appointment of 
assistant marshal of the United States, which was 
the fattest office I ever held, and paid well too at 
that, so it did. And at the instance of my friends, 
and from personal and friendly considerations, Gov. 
Whitcomb appointed me sole judge of probate, and 
then the question was, who shall fill the office. The 
people met in mass, and adjourned with the follow- 
ing announcement, which appeared in the papers of 
the county, to wit : 

' We have been in agony In this matter, but the 
agony is over. Judge Cotton is the man without 
any more anxiety or delay. He will sweep all be- 
fore him like a mighty torrent. We can elect him 
if there are a dozen candidates in the field. In con- 
clusion, we would say to the voters of Dearborn, go 
to work at once and in earnest, and let your watch- 
word be, Judge Cotton, virtue and victory.' 

And so it proved to be in the come-out, for single 
handed, against one of the first men in the county, 
I swung clear with a majority of nearly 500 votes. 



66 cotton's sketch-book. 

I held the office for the term of five years, which I 
also found to be very honorable and somewhat profi- 
table, and at the close of the term the bar honored 
me with the folio wino; 

BAR MEETING. 

On motion of Abram Browser, Esq., the following 
proceedings of a meeting of the bar of Dearborn 
Co., Ind., are ordered to be entered on the record, 
to wit : 

At a meeting of the bar, held at the court-house 
on the 24th day of September, 1852, James T. 
Brown was called to the chair, and Abram Brower, 
jr., appointed secretary, when the following Pream- 
ble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted. 

Whereas, the probate court of said county being 
about to go out of existence, the members of the bar 
feel it to be their duty to place upon the records of 
said court a testimonial of their respect for Rev. 
Judge Cotton, whose services as judge will close with 
the present term thereof. Therefore, 

Resolved^ That we have been associated with 
Judge Cotton in the administration of justice for 
seven years as associate judge of the civil and crimi- 
nal courts of this county, and for more than five 
years as sole judge of the probate court of said 
county, and that it affords us pleasure to bear testi- 
mony to his close attention to judicial business, and 



cotton's sketch-book. 67 

to his patient hearing of all cases submitted to him, 
and his earnest efforts to administer law and justice 
in the discharge of his various and complicated du- 
ties. 

Jlesolved, That we entertain the highest respect 
for the moral worth of Judge Cotton, and part with 
him with the kindest and best of feelings. 

James T. Brown, Chairman, 

A BR AM B ROWER, Secretary, 

Now is not all this worth something ? And here 
is where the savino-s of rum and tobacco come in 
again with telling effect. Don't you see it, bo3^s ? 
And don't it pay, and pay well too ? Don't it ? 
Over and above all this, to have worked my way 
from humble obscurity to a dignified and most hon- 
orable position among the learned, great, and elo- 
quent men in the community ; to preside over them 
and to be addressed by them, if your honor please, 
etc., is a pleasing reflection to me, and should be in- 
spiring to all who honorably aspire to usefulness or 
fame. Had I been cheered and encouraged in the 
days of my youthful obscurity as I labor to cheer 
others, I don't know what a man I should have 
made. And so also let it be remembered that if I 
had spent all my spare dimes for ' rum and tobacco,' 
for pleasure parties, for theaters, for frolic, and for 
fun, these bright honors and this fair record would 
never have been mine, to bless my parents and my 



68 cotton's sketch-book. 

friends, would it ? Now, boys, would it ? My dear 
little reader, I mean you, and I hope you will re- 
solve right here, just now where you sit or stand, 
yes, just say to yourself, I too will try to make an 
honorable, useful man of myself just as Judge Cotton 
and many other poor boys have. Well, now just 
stick to that, and you will succeed to usefulness and 
honest fame in some honorable department in life. 
The Lord bless all the dear little boys and young 
men is the prayer of my heart and the theme of my 
pen. ' So mote it be.' And I pass. 



69 



CHAPTER VIII. 

I fairly tremble for myself wlien I think how much 
I have written and how much I yet have to write, 
complimentary of one so humble and unassuming, 
lest I should be deemed egotistical and vam. But 
those intimately acquainted with me will testify that 
I never '• put on airs ' or •• cut swells.' None of the 
very flattering compliments which have been so pro- 
fusely accorded to me, and which I have presumed 
for good reasons to record in my little book, were 
never intended to represent me as being a second 
Hargraves, a Professor Harrison, a Bishop Ames, or 
a Bishop Simpson, or any other one of the master 
spirits or eloquent ministers of the age ; but simply, 
that from deep poverty and humble obscurity — by 
dint of application, early piety, and correct habits, I 
had raised myself up to some honorable distinction 
among the pulpit orators of the age. And should I, 
in giving a sketch of my own humble history, through 
false modesty, do myself the gross injustice to with- 
hold from the record these essential items ? More 
especially as I write my little book more for the di- 
rection and encouragement of obscure little boys and 



70 cotton's sketch-book. 

young men, than to win fame or fortune by its publi- 
cation. 

An autobiograplier must speak of himself, that is 
his special and avowed theme and subject. And if I 
would be ' a workman that needeth not to be 
ashamed ' as an author, I must make my little book 
a readable book — an encouraging book — a telling 
book — and a ^rw^^-telling book. And truth to myself 
is quite as important as truth about anybody else. A 
poor young man that could scarcely win a license to 
exhort, and but for a special interposition of ' the 
Father of Mercies ' and ' the God of all grace,' would 
never have been licensed to preach at all, having 
w^orked his way to such an eminent distinction, and 
having seen so many of the grand and beautiful sights 
and sceneries of ' this beautiful green earth.' And 
having been made the honored instrument in the 
hands of God, for ' winning souls to Christ.' Should 
he not tell it, and tell it all freely and fearlessly to 
the praise of his ministry, and to the glory of God ? 
Yes, to God be all the glory — a humble instrument 
only be mine. The Lord still crown my efforts with 
success, and keep me humble while I proceed to 
speak of the triumphs of grace, as showing in a clear 
and unmistakable light that ' I have not run in vain 
nor labored in vain ' — 

' In the vineyard of the Lord.' 

Many long years ago, that beloved and eminently 



71 

successful minister of Ciirist, the Rev. Jeremiah B. 
Sparks, became my circuit preacher. And at our 
first love-feast he said, ' I was awakened and con- 
verted through the preaching of Brother Cotton 
here.' O, how that announcement perfectly electri- 
fied me ! When, and where, said I. Brother Sparks 
now turning to me, said, ' Brother Cotton, do you 
recollect the time that you preached at Brother 
Price's barn, away up in Franklin County many 
years ago? ' ' O yes,' said I, ' and we had a precious- 
ly good and refreshing season there.' ' Well,' said 
he, ' I went to that meeting not an openly profane, 
but a vain, irreligious young man, and would not 
come into the barn, but kept strolling about outside 
at my ease. But when you commenced preaching, I 
came forward and stood peaking in through an open 
space in the walls, for I had heard much about you, 
and had a great desire to see and hear you ; your 
manner and your words took fast hold of me, and 
there I remained to the close of your sermon, and 
then turned away a deeply awakened — a poor peni- 
tent sinner — and in a few weeks I was 
'A sinner saved by grace,' 
joined the Church — and the conference soon after ; 
and have ever since been preaching Christ and him 
crucified, as a circuit preacher, and have received 
into the Church more than five hundred awakened 
sinners, and happily converted immortal souls.' I 



72 cotton's sketcii-i>ook. 

wept for crratltude. I trembled with rejoicin<:; at this 
hcart-checrino; report. Truly, said I, I have not 
denied myself in vain — studied in vain — traveled in 
vain — nor preached in vain ; becausp the blessed 
Saviour prayed specially and ferventl^^ for me, yes, 
even for me in his last solenni prayer for his disciples, 
for said He, ' Neither pray I for these alone, but for 
them also which shall believe on me through their 
word.' — John xvii-20. I believed throuoh the word 
of the sainted Daniel Plummer. Brother Sparks be- 
lieved through the word of Brother Cotton. Brother 
Plummer little thought what he had done for the 
church when he won me into it, nor I what I had 
achieved by my sermon at Price's barn. Neither 
did Franklin know the full glory of his achievement 
when he bottled up the lightnings of heaven. And 
as little did Columbus know the glory and magnifi- 
cence of his discovery of the New World. So true 
it is that ' No man livcth to himself, and no man 
dieth to himself, for their works do follow them.' 

I a star in the crown of Brother Plummer, and 
Brother Sparks in mine. And so brilliant a star, and 
scores in his, too, don't that ])ay ? And, boys, but 
for my early consecration to Christ and his cross, to 
my books, etc., 1 never should have done so much 
good in the world, nor won such bright treasures in 
heaven. Boys, do you hear that? — and will you 
strive to profit by it — will you? 



COTTON S SKETCH-BOOK. 73 

One more case of my successful ministration, and I 
pass to the consideration of 'other matters and 
things.' Many years ago, there was a great dearth 
in religious and spiritual affairs, on Manchester Cir- 
cuit, Dearborn Co. Indiana, tlie place of my long 
and happy residence. The sainted good Old Father 
Jones was the preacher in charge ; and had toiled 
night and day, to get up a religious interest, to little 
purpose. He suggested the expedient of getting up 
a protracted meeting, to Bro. Plummer, who said a 
failure would make it still worse ; but both agreed 
to pray over the subject, and decide in the morning. 
Both reported flivorably. Father Jones dreamed 
that he was surrounded by a large army of hissing 
snakes, and that he was powerless to kill them, and 
could not work his wa}^ out. At this critical time, 
said he, brother Cotton came along ; and I said O ! 
brother Cotton, help ! help ! help ! And, that with 
an old Jerusalem blade (as he called it), all brio-ht 
and glistening, I cut my way to him, slaying right 
and left, as I came ; and he awoke rejoicing at his 
timely deliverance. Yes, said he I We' 11 have the 
protracted meeting. And brother Cotton is the man 
to open the way. But all these things were withheld 
from me until long after the meeting had filled its 
liigh mission, and adjourned. But so it was, that 
when I arrived, father Jones said, brother Cotton, 
4 



74 cotton's sketch-book. 

you must preach the first sermon, this evening. I 
asked God for a subject, and for power to handle it. 
My subject was the great Salvation, and the neglects 
of it. See Heb. II-3. And if I ever had power 
with God, in my pulpit efforts, it was then. The 
theme of Salvation had fully possessed my hands, my 
tongue, my head and my heart, and I was enabled 
to speak with great freedom and 'In demonstration 
of the Spirit and with power. ' I had never so 
preached before, and seldom ever since. I was per- 
fectly astonished at myself, and Father Jones and all 
present were astonished at me. The ice was broken, 
the interest of the meeting increased ; the house be- 
came crowded ; and business had stopped in the 
neighborhood, and all were flocking to the House of 
God ; kneeling at the Altar for prayers and crying 
aloud for mercy. Old father Johnson said he had 
stood at the cannon's mouth in the Wars of Napoleon, 
unmoved, but he could not stand this ; and he fell 
prostrate to the floor, and cried aloud for mercy ; 
slain of the Lord by the sword of the spirit. The 
good work went on, and 75 joined the church at that 
meeting. And who but I should put the ball in mo- 
tion ? The Rev. Hayden Hays can tell you all about 
it. Is not that too good to be lost ? And how father 
Jones loved me from that time, until the day of his 
death. And God Himself, still more than father 
Jones. Glory Hallelujah, Amen. 



cotton's sketch-book. 75 

Once on a time, in the eventful past, the eminent 
Rev. Richard Hargrave, acting presiding Elder, 
called round and invited me to accompany him to his 
then pending Camp meeting, in Ripley Co., Indiana. 
I was assigned a popular hour on Sabbath, for my 
preach. The Lord stood by me, of a truth. I 
'swung clear, ' as we say, and we had a glorious good 
time of it generally, all the way round. It was at 
the very best period of my ministerial life ; and I 
was at my very best too ; and that is saying some- 
thing for me, upon a small scale. After the services 
were over, the Hon. Thomas B. Smith, our Repre- 
sentative in Congress, locked arms with me, for a 
little pleasant promenade ; during which time, he 
said, 'Judge, I am no flatterer of men. I would pay 
you no fulsome compliment; but I must say, that 
was a most magnificent and polished sermon. I 
hardly know when or where, I have been more pleas- 
ingly entertained. And I do assure yon, judge, that 
it would have passed No. 1 in the City of Washing- 
ton.' That was 'spreading it on pretty thick ; ' 
but I felt rather humbled, than made vain, by the 
high compliment ; though I appreciated it, far above 
the price of silver or gold. And let me ask in all 
meekness and humility, when did ever ' the use of 
Rum and Tobacco, ' win such a high compliment, 
from so hio;h a source ? where I Echo answers where ! 
But the best partis yet to be told. The next year 



76 

I attended another Camp meeting, at the same place, 
with similar success. That was surely good, but not 
the best part of it yet. I had no sooner appeared at 
the stand, than a young man, came crowding his way 
up to me ; and grasping my hand warmly, said, I 
suppose you do not know me ; but O judge, I am so 
glad to see you. Last year, I came to this Camp 
meeting a vain, wicked young man ; and when you 
rose up to preach, I drew near, and stood up by 'that 
tree yonder, ' having heard so much about you, that 
my curiosity was greatly excited ; but before I was 
aware, your words had found way to my heart ; and 
I was enchained to the spot, until the close of your 
sermon ; and went away 'a sadder, if not a better, 
man. ' I was deeply convicted ; struggled and 
groaned for Salvation, for several weeks ; when God 
converted my soul and gave me great peace in be- 
lieving. I immediately joined the Church ; and to- 
day, I am going on my way rejoicing to meet you m 
heaven. O I am so glad to meet you here again. 
Now my young readers, which do you suppose af- 
forded me the greatest pleasure — the high and flat- 
tering compliment of my highly appreciating friend, 
Hon. Tho. B. Smith , or the report of this happy 
convert ; through my humble instrumentality ; of this 
poor penitent sinner ; a sinner saved by grace. 
This is not vain glorying ; but magnifying that grace 
which has raised up such a humble instrument to ac- 



cotton's sketch-book. 77 

complish such wonders in the church of God. And 
the savings of 'Rum and Tobacco , ' is the key that 
unlocks it all. Little boys, you can all see, without 
being told ; where the early piety — where the 'Rum 
and Tobacco ' questions come in. Does it pay? or 
rather does it not pay, an hundred fold, even in this 
life. 

Well, at another Camp meeting, at Moore's Hill, 
I preached with great freedom, and apparently with 
much acceptibihty. And after the services were over, 
the late lamented professor Adams and the excellent 
Col. J. W. Eggleston, locked arms with me for a 
pleasant little promenade, when they very modestly 
paid me as high a compliment as did Col. Smith. 
And even that eminent divine Dr. F. C. Holliday 
shouted aloud in his tent ; and greeted me with, why 
'judge you fairly towered aloft to-day. ' 

Now, although I do not intend to encumber my 
pages with anything controversial, either politically or 
religiously, anything to offend or aggrieve the meanest 
personal or political enemy , I have in the world, yet, 
that I have many such, is but reasonable to suppose ; 
which is rather flattery than otherwise. It shows 
that I have been no time-server ; no flatterer ; no 
double-minded man ; but, a man of integrity ; a man 
of mark. And thus it is written 'Woe be unto you 
when all men shall speak well of you. ' One to do 
good, must confront both 'Men and Measures. ' 



78 



CHAPTER IX. 

I HAVE shown that akhough the people in the 
new country were not able to do much for me at first, 
they conferred upon me their suffrages from time to 
time most liberally and most freely, which was far 
better. And here let me add that, just so soon as I 
was legally authorized to solemnize marriages, I well 
nigh monopolized the business for miles and miles 
around, and ' drove a heavy business,' considering 
the newness of the county and the sparseness of the 
settlements, and at my best have married as many as 
three couples a day, two quite often, five in a week, 
and thirteen a month ; and although the fees at first 
were very small, it helped me along finely, besides 
affording me the assurance of general friendship and 
very innocent and pleasing pastime. Some of the 
editorials of our journalist were of this sort : ' Judge 
Cotton is certainly a rare genius, possessing greater 
versatility of character than is often found in one 
man. He is a farmer, in a small way, a school 
teacher, a preacher of the Gospel, a judge, a patriot, 
a universal poet, and a universal favorite at wedding 
parties, in which he has a great run, and where he 
officiates to the entire satisfaction of the young folks, 



79 

more especially as he always accompanies the notices 
with a pun, or a verse or two of his own composing. 
He always had a great passion for scribbling poetry, 
and we remember that once upon a time he wrote ' a 
sonnet ' that would have done credit to Tom Hood, 
and all about a lock of Gen. Jackson's hair, which 
the old gentleman enclosed to him in a letter from 
the Hermitage. He is getting old, yet he writes 
poetry with the beauty and elegance of earlier 
years. His style is pecuharlyjiis own, and some of 
his poetic productions have found their way into the 
very first magazines of the country.' There ! how 
will that do? How much rum and tobacco, how 
much idle loafing and pleasure seeking will that pay 
for ? And in speaking of me as a candidate for the 
probate judgeship, he says, ' I know of no one more 
capable, honest, or available than Judge Cotton, of 
Manchester. The high standing of the judge as an 
honest man, good neighbor, and Christian, points 
him out as the right man for that high and responsi- 
ble office.' Don't that pay for hard study and good 
morals ? 

I devote this chapter to ' hymeneal punning ' for 
the pleasing and innocent entertainment of the little 
girls and young ladies, as well as for the spice of the 
thing. Now ' a pun ' is a play upon words, that is 
to say, when any word has two distinct and separate 
applications it is punable, and the application of 



80 cotton's sketch-book. 

them crosswise constitutes a pun, and wlien skillfully 
executed are very creditable and very amusing, and 
sometimes most laughable : and a goodj hearty, in- 
nocent laugh is enlivening both to the physical and 
intellectual parts of our mysterious composition, and 
should rather be fostered and encouraged than re- 
buked and suppressed. Turn back to my preface, 
and read over again what Dr. Hall says upon this 
subject. I have already stated that somehow and 
for some reason I have had the good fortune to se- 
cure a very liberal and extensive patronage, which 
supplied me with punning materials in great abun- 
dance to work up at my leisure for a little agreeable 
pastime, both for m^^self and for my young friends, 
some few of which I propose to record here. And 
I am quite sure that ' the old folks,' who have not 
forgotten that they too were once young, will enjoy 
it quite as well as the best of them. I will now in- 
troduce my theme by the quotation of an editorial in 
one of my old county journals : ' Judge Cotton, of 
Dearborn Co., Ind., has for many years enjoyed a 
very liberal hymeneal patronage. The young peo- 
ple flock to him to be joined in one, and he does up 
the business with a grace and ease that does honor 
to him. And after it is over he communicates a no- 
tice of it to the papers for publication, often append- 
ing thereto amusing punnings of his own composi- 
tion, much to the amusement of the parties. Here 



^ cotton's sketch-book. 81 

is the one enclosed to us upon the marriage notice 
of Wilson Wright and Miss Harriet True. 

Discreet and modest from her youth, none surely need 
complain, 

Though this fair Miss with all her charms should ne'er be 
True again ; 

But why should one complain of this, as all the thought- 
less might? 

Do what she may, a privilege rare, she surely will be 
Wright.' 

The first pun I ever ' ground out ' was on this oc- 
casion, and under these inspiring circumstances. I 
had just married a very modest and most beautiful 
young lady, a particular friend of mine, and looking 
at my fee for the first time upon my arrival home 
late in the evening, I found thirty-two pieces of 
bright silver money, tastefully enveloped in fine tis- 
sue paper, all ' four-pence ha'pennies,' as we called 
them. I was much amused at the pretty little fee, 
and more at its ingenious and tasteful envelopment. 
I presented the fee to my good lady saying, ' I know 
that is some of Emeline's work, and I will try and 
write out a few pretty lines to accompany the mar- 
riage notice before I retire to rest.' And taking 
down my slate I soon saw that I had a pretty pun 
for the first time in my life, and from that time for- 
ward to this day my punnings have been legion, and 
4* 



82 cotton's sketch-book. ^ 

very easily 'ground out.' My next county paper 
contained this announcement: Married by Rev. 
A. J. Cotton, Mr. Addison Chandler and the very 
amiable, interesting, and accomplished Miss Emeline 
Hedge. 

I. 

Affection is a tender plant which we should well enclose, 
For though most precious in itself, it still has many foes; 
True wisdom then this groom has shown, as well I may 

allege, . 
For he has planted round his heart a neat and pretty 

Hedge. 

This received a very pretty editorial pufF, the 
blushing bride appreciated the compliment, and 
everybody enjoyed a good, hearty laugh over it, and 
pronounced it a very pretty pun indeed. Thus it 
was that this punning ball was set in motion, and I 
have found little or no trouble in keeping it in mo- 
tion ever since. I thought this little explanation 
due right here, simple as it may seem to be. * A 
fair start is one-half of the gaiiie.' 

II. 
John C. Moore and Ruth Ann Dowden, and 
others. 

This fair young bride, full well I know. 

Had goods and cash in store ; 
In great abundance, one would think, 

But still she wanted Moore. 



83 

Well more she got, I know that well, 

But still as 'twas before, 
She was unhappy all the time 

Unless she could have Moore. 

My saucy muse, now I don't choose 

To hear one single word more, 
If you don't mind right soon you'll find 

Yourself kicked out of door. 

III. 

Peter Platter and Sarah McCracken. 

Said Cupid unto Miss one day: Ask of me what you wilL 
And if it be within my power, promptly I'll ' fill the bill.' 
That is most generous to be sure, indeed I do not flatter, 
Well, all I wish you to bestow is just one single Platter. 

ly. 

Pliilip Hunter and Martha Crouch, and others. 

Please, Mr. Hymen, say by what rule, 

Was it your own or Gunter's, 
You learned these brides so soon to be 

Such nice and pretty Hunters? 

V. 

Dr. LeRoy and Miss Bowers. 

Well, well, upon my word, if that don't beat the Jews, 
In these ere times, when all are broke, or lightly ' feel 

the screws,' 
Thus to be freed from cares and woes by hymen's magic 

powers. 
And then so sweetly to enjoy one's own delightful Bowers. 



84 

YI. 

Hunter and Martin. 

This sportsman, oh with what delight, 
O'er hills and dales pursued the flight; 
How long ' the chase ' I am not sartin, 
But this I know, he caught the Martin. 

YII. 

Peter C. Taylor and Catharine Pardun. 

An adage of old is something like this, 

' We make our own fortunes,' not so with this Miss, 

She trusts all to her Taylor, and be it foul or fair. 

As he shall ' cut and make ' she now will have to wear. 

YIII. 

Ira Tinker and Ella McMullin. 

Now, hymen, you have done it sure, 

Else I am no close thinker; 
Change so fair a damsel, eh. 

Into a pretty Tinker. 

IX. 

Peter Piatt and Susan Milliken. 

Please tell me you that know, those are excused who can't, 
How this groom's brother is his uncle, his brother's wife 

his "aunt? 
Still wilder pranks has hymen played, by the union of 

these twain 
The mother of this happy groom is mother to him again. 



85 

Try to study it out before you read the following 
answer. 

Josiah Piatt a long time ago 
Married a fair Miss,.! know it is so, 
Then old father Piatt, oh what a twister, 
Soon afterwards married his son's wife's sister; 
His other son Peter, not given to loiter. 
Soon took for his spouse his step-mother's daughter; 
So now, my young friends, I've explained the whole rid- 
dle. 
If you can't understand it ' you aint worth a fiddle.' 

To understand it after it is explained is one thing ; 
to originate it quite another. 

X. 

Blackly Shoemake and Mercy Prest. 

Thrice happy man, by fortune blest, 
Instead of cares, by Mercy Prest; 
His days will glide most smoothly by, 
Mercy her utmost e'er will try 
To wipe the tears from sorrow's eye. 
Till he or she are called to die. 

XI. 

Zephaniah Heustis and Elizabeth Steel. 

O Zephaniah! Zephaniah! 

How your poor ma must feel, 
To think her dearest son 

Should be inclined to Steel. 



86 cotton's sketch-book. 

XII. 
Wm. Whitney of Maine to Miss Jane Fox of Indi- 
ana. 

Of Wm. Whitney it may well be said that 

He journeyed far from his native State, 

From those deep vales and towering rocks, 
And gave to fortune a successful chase, 
For lo ! he caught a pretty Fox. 

XIII. 

Moses Cook and Philena Hawk. 

When Cupid bent his bow and sped his dart 
To bring this keen-eyed bird with gushing heart. 
Close by his side friend Moses stood, 
Clapping his hands and shouting good. 
The priest who joined this happy pair 

Has made a world of pleasing talk, 
For he would neither dine nor sup 

Till he had Cook'd this pretty Hawk. 

XIV. 
John P. Snell and Emeline Flint. 

What a fancy, friend Snell, 

Though beautiful the tint. 
To choose for a bride 

A pretty little Flint. 

Who but thou couldst perceive, 

Without measure or stint, 
Pure love would gush forth 

From the heart of a Flint. 



COTTON^'S SKETCH-BOOK. 87 

XY. 

James McGinnIs and Eliza Miracle, 

What merry pranks has hymen played 

E'er since ' the days of yore; ' 
He sports with names and Miracles 

Till they are so no more. 

XYI. 

Erasmus D. Hathaway and Eliza Ransom. 

This happy, joyous groom was about twenty-nine, 
'Mazing near, as you see, the ' old bachelor ' line; 
But the blushing, sweet bride gave herself for a Kansom, 
And this rescued her friend most handsomely, handsome ; 
Thus a pleasant affair and the parties well matched. 
Judge Cotton, ever ready, soon the business dis^Datched; 
All their friends were well pleased, and each greeted the 

pair 
With a very warm blessing and a silent, warm prayer. 

XYII. 

Dr. C. Pease and Rhoda Conger. 

While at the dinner table one of the guests called 
on me for a pun, when I threw off the following to 
the admiration of all present. 

In this famed world for vegetables, 
There's naught that some can please; 

But this fair bride, it will be seen. 
At least is fond of Pease. 

You may well be assured that I made my mark 
that time. 



88 cotton's sketch-book. 

xyiii. 

R. D. Brown and Elizabeth Conway. 

Of all the bright and gorgeous tints, 

In county, city, village, town, 
This very neat and pretty bride 

rinds nothing like a Brown. 

XIX. 

John P. Lemon and Kate C. Pink. 

My stars! dear me! only think, a Lemon and a Pink 

Unite and blend in one, 
To meet ' the ills of life ' as husband and as wife, 

"Way down to rising sun ; 
Pink is a pretty flower, a Lemon rather sour 

Will make a pretty tart. 
And give a pleasing zest to sweeten all the rest, 

If truly ' one in heart.' 
Oh may they each pursue the paths of virtue true. 

And ever happy be; 
And at the close of life wind up ' this mortal strife ' 

In love's unbounded sea. 
And sail the ocean o'er on that immortal shore 

Where all is peace and love; 
And with a golden lyre join the triumphant choir 

In realms of bliss above. 

Beat that who may, and then I'll try my hand 
again ' perhaps.' 



89 
XX. 

Nicholas Ecliman and Eva Herrino;. 

What freaks of fancy and of taste reveal themselves in 
life, 

And often do sucli things occur in hunting up a wife ; 

I hope 'twill turn out in the end that Nicholas was uner- 
ring 

When he chose him for a bride a pretty little Herring. 



XXI. 

Francis M. Johnson and Emily Davis. William 
Jennings and Mary Davis. 

' The fair goddess of May,' in her ' floral robes ' clad, 
Looked never more lovely, why, all nature seemed glad; 
The warm greetings of friends, from hearts most sincere, 
Illumed the gay scene and gave it ' good cheer; ' 
'Twas a season of joy to all who were there, 
The viands were plenty and sumptuous the fare; 
May the sunshine of plenty attend them through life, 
And they ever be strangers to contention and strife. 
Is the prayer of the Manchester Bard. A. J. C. 

If that was not a very pleasant affair and a most 
delightful season, then am I indeed a poor judge in 
such matters. Boys, how think you did I happen to 
preside there ? How ? 



90 cotton's sketch-book. 

XXII. 
Thomas Craig and Mary Knapp. W. C. Knapp 
and E. Hults." 

While Cupid strung his unstrung bow 

To make his arrows snap, 
These brides and grooms, alternately, 

Just took a pretty Knapp. 



cotton's sketch-book. 91 



CHAPTER X. 

HYMENEAL PUNNINGS CONCLUDED. 

That which is worth doing at all, is worth well doing.'' 

XXIII. 

Eev. T. A. Goodwin and Content Craft. 

O Cupid ! how tliy bewitching melting darts 

Unite in one, two pure and loving hearts; 

This joyous, happy groom with his fair, sweet, blushing 

bride, 
Has just launched forth, on life's uneven tide. 
His gallant Craft Content, all beauteous to behold; 
More precious far to him, than thrice her weight in gold, 
Will make his voyage o'er 'life's tempestuous sea, ' 
Tranquil and sweet, as 'summer evenings ' be. 

The Rev. groom, paid me publicly, a very hand- 
some compliment, etc. 

XXIV. 

Gilbert Piatt and Elizabeth C. Wilcox. 

Said Miss, to hymen, will you please just change my 

maiden name ? 
Your's a fair one now, my nice pretty dame; 
That is all true; fgl well I know that. 
But I'd much rather prefer, to be called Mrs. Piatt. 
The case was made out, and hymen complied, 



92 cotton's sketch-book. 

So far as to change a Miss, to a bride. 
When your 'intended' hands Judge Cotton that, 
He'll soon change your name, and you all, to Piatt. 
'Twas done at a word, and a fairer, sweet bride, 
You scarcely could find in a whole year's ride. 

Boys, what do you say to that — eh ? 

XXY. 

Joel Bledso and Sarah Jane Swan. 

Of all the pretty httle birds, 

That flit o'er hill or lawn, 
This hajDpy groom prefers by far, 

A lovely, pretty swan. 

XXYI. 

James C. Martin and Sue Jolley. Wm. York 
and Carrie Soule. 

FIRST PARTY. 

They must have had 'a jolly time,' 

Of that, I feel quite sartin ; 
Since hymen treated the fair bride, 

To a superior Martin. 

BOTH PARTIES. 

These lovely brides and haj^py grooms, 

Richly deserve 'a pun;' 
But my muse has tried his best. 

And just can't make one; 
But may their days glide smoothly on, 

And peace, her radiance shed; 
And all the paths through which they roam 



cotton's sketch-book. 93 

"With pleasing flowers, be spread ; 
And may the happy golden dreams 

Of each delighted pair, 
Be more than realized in life , 

And come out bright and fair ; 
And many be their days on earth, 

All full of peace and joy; 
And may they rest in heaven at last, 

Where all is peace and joy. 
And may their parents and their friends, 

Hence evermore rejoice ; 
And have good reasons to approve 

This wise and happy choice; 
May all their friends who greet them here, 

Greet them in heaven above ; 
Where 'cares and conflicts' never come, 

And all is peace and love. 

Boys, would you not like to write so too ? Well, 
you may try it. 

XXVII. 

A. J. Cotton and Miss Dolly or Dorothy P. Noyes 
and several other Miss Noyeses. 

It seems that hymen has his freaks, the same as other 

men , 
Just call upon him when well pleased, and he'll oblige you 

then ; 
These happy grooms, were all 'in time' tired of a single 

life. 
They called to see if hymen would just treat them to a 

wife. 



94 

Their hearts within them leaped for joy, when hymen 

answered yea, 
But still I think my dear young friends, there is a better 

way. 
Of all the ladies on this globe, I'll give you each your 

choice; 
Bless you; thank you; my good sir; of course I' 11 take 

Miss Noyes ; 
And fairer brides, you seldom see, than this, or that Miss 

Noyes ; 
And all most heartily approve the wisdom of their 

choice. 

This you will readily perceive to be my own 
happy report. 

xxyiii. 

Gen. Charles Mills and Eliza Price. 

The general fought the battle well, which Cupid first 

began; 
The fairest conquest he obtained; as fair as e' er was won. 
Each 'grand maneuver,' all admit he managed very nice; 
And hymen paid him for his skill, the fairest, sweetest 

Price. 

Gen. Mills was a citizen of Ohio, and I of Ind. 
He advised by letter, in good time when the party 
was to come off; and charged me not fail him, as 
his intended would hardly think herself married, un- 
less I performed the ceremony. Dear judge, fail me 
not. I Jiave a $20 bill, in reserve for- you, and a 
good warm greeting from ns all. 



95 

Just think of that ; a $20 bill, from the highest 
circles of life in all the State of Ohio. Was that not 
'a getting up in life ? ' And don't that pay for correct 
habits ; and close application to good books — Well, 
now, don't it ? 

XXIX. 

Old father Hyde and old mother Kidd. His 
fourth wife, and her third husband. 

Now reader, how would you contrive to work that 
off into a readable pun ? A pun is by no means as 
easily 'ground out ' as it reads after it is put into form. 
Some of my puns have cost me hours and even days, 
to perfect. But practice makes perfect; and after a 
while, they come easy to you. But nothing great 
was ever attained without great labor. The point I 
am at, is to encourage you to apply yourselves. If 
your endowments are very small, by proper attention 
they can be vastly improved. A very small fire, if 
properly nursed, will soon burst forth into a mighty 
flame ; but without proper materials, it will soon ex- 
pire. So, small intellectual developments, may come 
out 'master spirits,' or be extinguished ; as they are 
dealt by. Never had one less mental capital to start 
off' in the w^orld, than I had ; correct habits and hard 
study have done the balance for me. And the same 
course would have done quite as much for you, in 
some other direction, perhaps. An intelligent farmer, 



or mechanic, is just as useful and lionorable a man, 
in his place, as a minister, or a judge. But let every 
heart and mind be well improved. And now I will 
inform you how I went to work to 'grind out ' this 
pun. After twisting it about in my mind for some 
time, vainly contriving to find a fair starting point, 
I had to suppose that the parties had taken 'a union 
hunt' as we say out West. No matter who shoots 
the game, all come in for an equal division of it. 
Starting off upon this suggestion, it all came into my 
hand without a seeming effort. The right thinking 
was the hardest part of it altogether. 
And now, for the pun. 

This happy bride and groom, 

Once took 'a union hunt,' 
How long the chase, I do not know, 

And say it sure, 'I wont;' 
But this I know, they took choice game. 

Which they must needs divide; 
But shouhl tlie groom take this, or that, 

Or should the pretty bride. 
At last, they mutually agreed, 

This way it should — did; 
The bride alone should have the iiyde; 

The groom, should take the kidd. 

All very easy, after you know how ; so is every- 
thing else. 

The editor of the Lawrenceville Glohe^ 111., and 
other Western editors said Tom Hood, Charles Lamb, 



cotton's sketch-book. 97 

Alf. Tennyson, and nobody else, ever beat that. 
Then indeed liave I worked my way up to an even 
position with tlie very best poets and printers p^ the 
age. Ain't that some ? 

XXX. 
David Porter and Lncinda Baldnage. 

' Twas hymen's turn to treat, this time, 

As 'a hymeneal sporter; ' 
What will you have, fair Miss, said he , 
O, just a little tokter. 

XXXI. 

John Seely and Clementine B. Cook. 
In the parlor, in the kitchen. 

Or wherever you may look, 
Naught makes home more truly blest, 

Than a nice, neat, pretty cook. 

XXXII. 

Kev. James S. Rice and Miss Johnson and 

others. 

This truly happy, blushing bride, 

With taste so pure, refined and nice, 
Of all the good things in this world. 
Prefers *a little Northern kice. 

XXXIII. 

Rev. A. J. Cotton and Jane M. Hamilton. 

Well, well, Mr. Hymen, 'now you have done it,' 

Else there is no truth in my little sonnet; 

And never shall it be forgotten ; 

You' ve changed my lovely bride, all into coTTOiq". 
5 



98 

I have many *more of the same sort, left, but 
greatly fear that I have dwelt at too great length, 
already ; but will venture to treat you to 'a very tall 
punning snap, ' I once got into, and then I will re- 
lieve you, and dismiss the subject. So I will. 

Once on a time, in the palmiest days of my matri- 
monial glory, I was serving as a Grand Juryman in 
the District Court of the United States, held at Indi- 
anapolis, Ind. The Hon. Judge McLane, on the 
bench. Shortly after my arrival, the Rev. John C. 
Smith, my former beloved circuit preacher, called to 
see me, at the court-room ; and extended to me a 
very kind and pressing invitation to call on him to- 
morrow, at 5 o 'clock p. M. and take tea with a few 
select friends. Of course I was on hand all in good 
time, and in good heart. I found quite a large and 
respectable company of young and matronly ladies, 
in attendance. Well, after the salutatory and intro- 
ductorv ceremonies were over, a very sprightly, good- 
looking, elderly lady, said, Judge Cotton, I am very 
happy to be introduced to you. I have had so many 
good hearty laughs at your very amusing Hymeneal 
Punnings, which I often see in the papers, that I 
have desired to see you exceedingly much, for many 
long, by-gone years. That all jingled very finely, 
and I really felt right good over it ; but in the midst 
of my pleasant reveries, what should that lady do, 
but says, now Judge, here is sister Smith, wdio has 



cotton's sketch-book. 99 

just been married. Can you treat her to one of your 
pretty puns ? Parrying the onset with excuses to get 
time to survey the premises, and measure my distance 
and see the outcome, I seemed rather inchned to de- 
cline ; and ask to be excused. O no Judge ; do 
please, make us a pun ! So said they all ; yes, do 
Judge ! My mind having fully arranged the matter, 
I pleasantly said, well ladies, since you all seem to 
desire it, I will try and see what I can do. How 
will something like this, meet your anticipations ? 

In this gay world of rich delights, there's much each taste 

to please ; 
The roaring of the cataract, the waving of the trees; 
The wide extended verdant plain, the music of a rill; 
But most of all, friend Smith admires a neat and pretty 

HILL. 

Looking and pointing most significantly, at 'the 
blushing bride. ' 

Now gentle reader, I do assure you that set me out 
' clear as a quill.' The ladies bless 'em, clapped their 
hands, waved their handkerchiefs and fairly shouted 
aloud for joy. And of course, having so honorably sus- 
tained my punning reputation, I was 'lion of the day ' 
from that out. But the end, was not yet ; for in the 
morning, before court hour, while I and others were 
engaged in a little pleasing chat with Judge McLane, 
in came brother Smith : and said, Judge Cotton, my 
lady sends her compliments to you, and would be 



100 cotton's sketch-book. 

very mucli obliged if you would write out that pretty 
little pun, for her. I thought at first, that she appre- 
ciated it ; and now, I knew it. O certainly ; brother 
Smith, I will do it with great pleasure. Of course 
I had to repeat it right there, to the manifest delight 
of all present ; who said 'that was indeed a happy hit. ' 
And while I was cono;ratulating myself with this new 
triumph, what should brother Smith say, but, Judge, 
this is Rev. Mr. Berry, our City minister, who has 
quite recently married too; Can you do anything 
for Mr. Berry ? I involuntarily exclaimed, icebergs ! 
cataracts and whirlpools ! what a fix ! O, that I had 
started home early in the morning ; but there I was, 
and must work my way out as best I could. Parley- 
ing for time, as before, I saw there was a pun m 
it, since berry is a fruit. And thus fortune favors 
the brave. My punning faculties being in a very 
healthy and vigorous state, at that time, with my 
hasty forecast 'I rolled up my sleeves and pitched in,' 
as the saying is. Gentlemen, 1 belong to the 'try com- 
pany ' and never say can't. And so here goes, sink 
or swim. All standing tiptoe, in breathless suspense, 
for the issue, I beo;an thus : — 

Those who are greedy to possess more than their share of 

good, 
Endanger all, and fool themselves; just as such people 

should. 
But this fah' bride it will be seen, is very modest, very; 
For she is happy and content with just one single berry. 



cotton's sketch-book. 101 

And if that did not 'bring down tlie house ' in the 
sense of the phrase, it never was brought down. 
But before I liad time to congratulate myself, upon 
my ready and wonderful performance, one more, 
Judge, said brother Smith, and then, 'I will let you 
up. ' O no, brother Smith ; my trusty muse has 
played her part well, already ; and you must excuse 
me. No, not yet. Quite recently, we had rather a 
novel wedding in this City ; a Mr. Green married 
a Miss Margaret Pigg ; and if there is • any living 
man, who can work that up into a pun, you are the 
man. Try it, Judge ! But does not a time honored 
maxim say — ' you should never work a free horse to 
death. ' Never mind that. Judge, let us have just 
this one. Hail Columbia ! caverns and volcanoes ! 
what a fix ; and what a case. O, that like Alex- 
ander Selkirk, I were on some lonely island, in the 
middle of the sea ; and like him — 'monarch of all I 
survey, in the moon, or anywhere else. But there 
I was, and must make the best of it ; and it came out 
a double pun, and the very best one of 'the lot; ' and 
scared up a perfect 'hooraws nest ' as the saying is. 
Well, I am some at a pun, and know it, and so do 
you ; and why should I be 'mealy mouthed ' about 
it ? Don't you think, at the World's Fair, as a pun- 
ster, that I should take 'the premium against the 
universe ? ' O, oh, 'shame on me ; ' but here is the 
pun, that will speak for itself. So it will. 



102 COTTOX'S SKETCH-BOOK. 

What various tastes do men display, in the affairs of life; 
And odd and many are their freaks, in choosing out a 

wife ; 
And thus my friend, 'a little gkeek, ' as if to run some 

rig. 
Chose for his own sweet bosom friend, a pretty, little 

PIGG. 

That took me out 'sky high ' as the saying is. 
Such shouting and stamping, you seldom hear. 

Judge McLane said, Judge Cotton, that is truly 
rich. If you can do up things in that easy, happy 
manner, you ought to be in better business than at- 
tending Court, here. 

The next morning, he presented me with a note, 
from his good lady, inviting me to take tea w^ith her, 
that afternoon. And, after the kind reception cere- 
monies were over, the Judge requested me to enter- 
tain his lady, by repeating some of my very superi- 
or and most amusing punnings ; and his lady seemed 
to appreciate them as bigkly as he did. I fain would 
have treated her to a pun ; but the name and the 
fates, forbade me. I have already said that my 
punning fame, cost me great and prolonged mental 
study and application. Very well. What says Sol- 
omon ? 'See'st thou a man diligent in his business ? 
He shall stand before kings ; he shall not stand be- 
fore mean men.' Prov. xxii : 29. Well, sure 
enough ; I stood before Judge McLane, of the 
Supreme Court of the United States, and decided- 



cotton's sketch-book. 103 

ly one of tlie very greatest and best men in the gov- 
ernment ; and that pays well. From the editorial 
puffs, the blushing smiles of the fair, the general 
murmur of approval, and the high compliment of 
Judge McLane combined, which have been accorded 
to me, I must believe that these punnings possess 
great and true merit ; affording innocent amusement, 
a pleasurable and profitable pastime. And that 
is my apology for devoting so much space to them. 
Such an exhibition of the kind, the world never saw 
before. Three dozen, all in a row ; and three off- 
handed. And that is the good of it. Now think of 
it as you may, these punnings will give character and 
notoriety to my little book. Mark that, will you ? 
And they are really worth more than two prices of 
my entire work. Aint they — eh ? 

And I pass. Good-night girls, and pleasant dreams 
to you all. 



104 



CHAPTER XL 

Let It be neither overlooked or forgotten, that 
while I have been poetizing and speechifying, and 
taking an active part in public gatherings and public 
affairs generally, that I have neither forgotten or neg- 
lected the imperative and pressing duties of 'My high 
calling of God, in Christ Jesus ' but at home and 
abroad, night and day, fair weather and foul, have 
been at my post, zealously and patiently laboring to 
*build up the waste places of Zion ' and to cultivate 
Immanuel 's ground, ' now here, now there, at the 
bid and call of everybody. I have in my time, pro- 
nounced as many as five funeral sermons in a single 
week ; and quite a number, in each year. And as 
I have elsewhere said ' I have often left my clearing,* 
left my plough in the field, and my scythe in the 
swath, to respond to these calls of my afflicted and 
bereaved friends 'without money or price ' happy to 
know that I was operating in the line of my duty ; 
and with the comfortable assurance that my 
humble services were duly appreciated, and thank- 
fully received. And you should also keep in mind, 
that I have not undertaken to write out a finished 
and highly polished literary, scientific or theological 



105 

work; but a plain, simple and unvarnished record^ 
of experimental truth ; to magnify that grace which 
took me from the very humblest walks of life 'as it 
did David from his sheep-fold ' to be in some sense 
the leader of his people. In the forest wilds of the 
then great and growing West, I put on no airs, cut 
no flourishes and made no swells ; yet, I would fain 
hope, that mine will be a very readable and highly 
appreciated little offering to all of those for whom it 
is specially intended to interest and benefit. Let that 
suffice here. 

I now pass, to pay a poetical tribute to Gen. Wash- 
ington and our Revolutionary mothers, because it 
comes in place here. 

ODE FOK AVASHINGTON'S BIRTH-DAY CELEBRATIOISr. 

Air — at i:>leasuTe. 

Come tune your hearts, my countrymen, to celebrate the 
day; 

The birth-day of our Washington, with an exulting lay. 

In seventeen hundred thirty-two (1732) , great Washing- 
ton was born; 

A century and fourteen years, this joyous, hajDpy morn. 

George Washington — a name most dear, to all the tribes 

of men; 
The Muses' theme of ever}'- clime, the theme of every 

pen. 
Theme of the old and of the young, the lovely and the 

fair; 

At home, abroad on seas and isles, aye, truly everywhere. 

5* 



106 cotton's sketch-book. 

Our Orator in melting strains, has told us how and why, 

We took up arms to vindicate those rights we prized so 
high; 

And how in mercy, God raised up our glorious Washing- 
ton; 

The wisest, purest Patriot, beneath the shining sun. 

He led our feeble armies on, and taught them how to 

fight; 
And under God secured our rights, and put our foes to 

flight. 

Go back with me to Lexington, go back to Bunker's Hill; 
Where gurgling, gushed your Country's blood, in many 
a crimson rill. 

O go with me to Brad3^wine, go back to Trenton, too; 
Go read the tokens of God's care, in all your Country 
through! 

The gushing. blood all warm and free, goes rushing in my 

veins. 
As I remember Washington, on Yorktown's smiling 

plains; 
There perched our Eagle — bird of heaven, on Liberty's 

fair tree ; 
And there the British lion roared, America is free. 

And in that roar was treasured, all that's truly good or 

great; 
The right to worship God in peace, and rule the new-born 

State. • 

O may we ever worthy prove, and keep unsoiled our 

trust; 
And may our children cherish them, when we repose in 

dust! 



cotton's sketch-book. 107 

May bitter strife and bitter words, no more offend our 

ears ! 
"We all are honest hearted men, of the same hopes and 

fears. 
This is the land that gave us birth, here we shall live and 

die ; 
And if one half are deadly foes, kind sirs, please tell me 

why? 

A deadly foe, tis true we have, that lures to crime and 
woe; 

'Tis from the sparkling poisonous cup, most of our evils 
flow. 

It ruins mind, 'O, what a thought,' the nation's sure de- 
fense; 

The groggeries, those sinks of woe; O drive ye out from 
hence ; 

And teach the j'oung to love good books, to love God's 
house and day; 

And let their feet be early taught to tread the narrow 
way. 

I still think tliat the masses of (far people both 
North and South, are sound at heart ; but good in- 
tentions don't sanctify evil actions. O no I never. 

Then God and peace and Washington shall unborn mill- 
ions know; 

And the rich blessings we enjoy, to all the nations flow; 

Then tune your hearts, my countrymen, let us exulting 
sing, 

The hallowed name of Washington, who conquered 

Georse the King .' 



108 

The ladies of the Revolution, according to promise, 
come in here for a passing notice ; and to sweeten the 
pages of my little book. Quoting from the production 
of my own tongue and pen, let me just say for the en- 
couragement of all the little girls and young ladies, aye 
more, to little boys and young men too, that it is as clear 
as a blazing sunbeam, in a cloudless sk}^; that under 
God, we are indebted to 'female influence ' for this 
goodly heritage of ours. It stands out in bold relief 
upon every page of that thrilling and truth-telling 
bloody history. We talk loud and long and enthu- 
siastically about our political and religious liberties — 
our proud Republican institutions; and our Revolu- 
tionary fathers. And indeed, their chivalrous deeds 
of noble daring are the just themes of praise and song, 
amono; all the babblino; tribes of earth. But do we 
suppose for a single moment, that they ever could, 
or ever would have succeeded, but for the influence 
and interposition of our Revolutionary mothers ? 
No ! never. 

What are the well attested historical facts, in the 
case ? Most clearly that not only our Revolutionary 
mothers and wives and daughters and sisters of the 
heroes of '76, but also, that the ladies of the poor 
deluded tory party were almost *to a man' heart and 
soul, devoted to the bleeding cause of National Free- 
dom. And as opportunity presented itself, they re- 
ceived the weary, w^orn soldier, with sweet smiles and 



cotton's sketch-book. * 109 

hearty blessings ; and at his departure, loaded him 
down with benefits ; and cheered him on his perilous 
weary wa}^. These things should never be forgot- 
ten ; and I record them in my little book, for preser- 
vation. And so also, if our own patriot ladies gener- 
ally took no part on the gory fields of battle, they 
did more by encountering their privations and hard- 
ships, not only without murmurings, but with cheer- 
fulness ; and that is the best part of it. 

With an unsleeping vigilance, they watched every 
movement of the common foe, and contrived some 
way to communicate to the army the result of their 
own private observation. Some of the British officers 
had quartered themselves upon one Mrs. Lydia Dar- 
ragh, who, somehow, understood that a deep-laid 
plan was matured to surprise the beloved Washington, 
and capture his gallant little host at a single dash. 
Taking a pillow-case on her arm as if going to pur- 
chase a little flour, she managed to pass the guards 
safely and unsuspected. Reported to Washington 
the mode of the intended attack, and hastily returned 
and went about her business as usual. Gen. Wash- 
ington immediately changed his front of operations 
so that when the attack was made, our boys were all 
ready, willing, and waiting to give them a warm re- 
ception ; such an one as they had never before re- 
ceived, and never desired to receive again ; for they 
were repulsed with great slaughter ; and routed, 



110 

horse, foot and dragoon. Perhaps the success of the 
Revolutionary war, was suspended upon this single 
heroic effort or timely interference of female influ- 
ence. The ladies — and the American ladies, forever. 
On another occasion of equally thrilling interest, 
during the Revolutionary^ struggle of our gallant sires, 
our Southern forts were threatened with a sudden 
bombardment from a large fleet of War vessels ; and 
traitorous Tories had somehow communicated to the 
fleet that our forts could offer no resistance, having 
not a single yard of flannel, for cartridges ; nor had the 
colonies the means to supply them. These were in 
very deed 'the days that tried men's souls. ' In this 
dark hour of peril and conflict, our Revolutionary 
mothers called a meeting, if possible to devise some 
means to meet the pressing emergency. They had 
neither the means, the time, nor the implements to 
manufacture flannel, to meet the demand. What 
should they do"? Was it indeed true, that 'Where 
there is a will, there is a way ? ' Yes, so it proved 
to be on this occasion, as the record shows ; for, in 
the midst of their dark musings, a bright idea en- 
tered the imagination of one of the ladies, when she 
exultingly exclaimed, wdiy, law bless me ! I have a 
flannel skirt on, that will do for some — and so have 
I ; and I ; and I too, joyrully responded they all. 
Cheered and animated with the thought that had 
just inspired them, they quickly dispersed, to accom- 



Ill 

plisli that which they had just conceived. And in 
'double quick time ' they sent their husbands and 
their brothers a good supply of the much needed ar- 
ticle ; which sent joy and gladness to the hearts of 
their friends, but death and gall to their adversaries. 
For when Sir Peter Parker (who had traitorously 
been informed of their utter destitution), bore down 
upon them, and opened a very deadly fire, vainly 
anticipating that an easy and safe conquest would 
close 'the gran^ drama ' he found to his utter dis- 
comfiture and confusion, that 'our dogs of war' not 
only barked, but bit most sorely ; tore away the 
seat of his unmentionables, and made him a stranger 
to easy sitting ever afterwards. 

He hauled off, as best he could ; dreadfully shattered 
and chagrined. And when he learned the history 
of this aflPair, he very sagely concluded and said, 
'It is perfectly useless to war with a nation of such 
Patriotic ladies. ' Aye, aye, sir ; you are very right 
in your conclusions ; as the record very clearly shows. 
Why, even the old Quaker lady, became so imbued 
with the spirit of the Revolution, that when her son 
cauo-ht the patriotic enthusiasm, and shouldered his 
gun to take part in the glorious strife, she gave to 
him her parting blessing ; ^d with it, this signifi- 
cant piece of advice. 

Well, Nathan, if thee must go, never let me hear 
that thee is wounded in the back. Such then, were 



112 cotton's sketch-book. 

the ladles of the Revolution. No wonder that with 
such mothers and sisters, with such wives and daugh- 
ters, our Patriotic sires prevailed. Female influence 
marks every page of that most trying and perilous 
period in our National existence or being. 

And yet how little do we hear in our public haran- 
gues or history, of their deeds of noble daring. Are 
gentlemen so deficient in their perceptive faculties, 
that they cannot see these things ? Or are they too 
modest to avow them ? No ! not alt^ether ; for one 
of our sweetest poets has sung their praises in rich 
and beautiful poetic numbers — thus: 

Ouii Kevolutionaky Motheks. 

O Pilgrim mothers! few the lyres, 

Your praises to prolong ; 
Though fame embalms our Pilgrim sires, 

And trumpets them in song. 
Yet, ye were to tliose hearts of oak. 

The secret of their might; 
Ye nerved the arms tliat hurled the stroke, 

In that long, bloody light. 

The fire of Freedom warmed each breast. 

Through many a weary day; 
While pillowed soft in dreamy rest. 

Our infant fathers lay. 
Ye taught them ^yl^•ll their simple prayers 

Were breathed besi Ic your knee. 
The lessons which in after life. 

Were bulwarks of the free. 



cotton's sketch-book. 113 

Ye taught to spurn the tyrant's chain, 

And bow to God alone; 
Ye kindled in their hearts the flame 

That trembled in your own. 
And though ye sleep on some bleak shore, 

Your names shall awe impart, 
Your requiem — the ocean's roar, 

Your shrine — a nation's heart. 

What a beautiful and what a well-doserved tribute. 
And. I could not deny myself the pleasure of em- 
balming their history in the pages of my little book, 
in connection with General Washington. 

Little girls and young ladies, little boys and young 
men prepare yourselves for great events, and great 
events will prepare themselves for you. 

My patrons will excuse me for tliis little digression- 
— I trust. And now to extend this chapter a little, 
I will here treat you to a 

NATIONAL HYMN FOR A 4tH OF JULY CELEBRATION. 

Air — Aiild- Lang- Syne. 
Hail! hail! all had the glorious Fourth, that gave a na- 
tion birth. 
The brightest civil diadem, the richest boon of earth; 
And never let this l^atal Day be lost or turned aside. 
To keep it up the good old way be every freeman's pride. 

And never let them be forgot the sires from whom we 

came, 
"Whose blood-stained footsteps marked their way to glory 

and to fame ; 



114 cotton's sketch-book. 

And never let them be unsung who join in glorious strife 
To 23lant the tree of liberty poured out the crimson life. 

No, never let it be forgot, the price that freedom cost; 
But pledge to each our lives, our all, it never shall be lost ; 
Let us preserve inviolate the legacy in trust, 
And hand it down all bright and fair to those who follow 
us. 

The East— the West— the Korth— the South we hail as 

brethren dear; 
But claim the right as freemen should to speak out plain 

and clear; 
Should e'er our country beat ' to arms,' we'll seize our 

muskets bright, 
And like brave Warren we will seek the hottest of the 

fight. 

And though we sometimes disagree, no one has cause to 

fear, 
The institutions of our land alike we all hold dear; 
' This is the land that gave us birth, here we shall Kve 

and die. 
And if one-half are deadly foes, will some friend tell me 

why?' 

O, then away with bitter words, we all in heart are one, 
United by the dearest ties the stranger sire and son. 
Then hail! all hail! the glorious Fourth that gave a nation 

birth, 
The brightest civil diadem — the richest boon of earth. 

Note. — This was regarded as being a very fine 
poem in the day of it. If I misconceived the facts 
in the case, all I have to say is that it is vastly more 



115 

honorable to be too cluirihible tliaii too censorious. 
And if I (lid notliing to ins[)ire the late terrible war, 
I made a full hand to suppress it Mdien it came upon 
us, that's all. 

I will now close this chapter with an 

EPITAPH 

for the tomb of Joseph Hannegan, a Revolutionary 
soldier, whose funeral oration I had the honor and 
pleasure to pronounce. 

Beneath this stone an aged veteran lies, 
Who early fought for ' freedom's golden prize,' 
And lived to see her Eagle, Stripes and Stars 
On every sea the pride of ' gallant tars.' 

In seventy-six he joined ' the martial band,' 
For liberty he fought with sword in hand, 
Hunger and toil in common was his lot, 
Which he endured, fought on — and murmured not. 

Kings vainly boast ' the right Divine ' to reign, 
All men by birth equally obtain, 
Each patriot — the young^the older man, 
Fought for this truth with our loved Hannegan. 

Three-score and ten he more than lived to see. 
Honored by all as he indeed should be, 
How sweet his rest! ' the prize was nobly icon,' 
He boldly fought — he sleeps with Washington. 

Note. — Approved or censured — appreciated or 
not, what I have written — I have written, and shall 
kindly and patiently abide the issue — and pass. 



116 cotton's sketch-book. 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE WAR OF 1812-14 AND GENERAL JACKSON. 

The embargo times, and the war times of 1812 
are still fresh upon my mind. Preparatory to the 
war was the embargo act to call in our own vessels, 
and to keep our money and our means at home. 
Our privations, of course, were many and exceedingly 
severe. We used pumpkin and sugar-tree molasses, 
sage and many other domestic teas, carrot, pea, and 
rye coffee, almost exclusively. Our mothers submit- 
ted to it without a murmur, because the rights of the 
country required the sacrifice. We paid from $1. 75 
to ^2. 00 per bushel for corn, and from $ 11 to $ 18 
per barrel for flour, and hauled cordwood from eight 
to twenty miles for $1. 50 to $2. 00 per cord. I 
drove a team with wood many a day and night at 
those rates. We would start for Portland, a distance 
of twenty miles, at sunset, drive all night, and get 
into market at early dawn or sunrise, and if we met 
with a ready sale, home at early bedtime in the win- 
ter ; otherwise, at a very late or rather early hour 
on the next morning. I have been so overcome 
with fatigue, and cold and broken rest, that I have 



cotton's sketch-book. 117 

dropped my knife and fork a dozen times while eat- 
ing my supper, my good mamma standing by me all 
the time to cheer, and comfort and feed me. I 
have traveled many a mile in a profound sleep by 
the side of my oxen, got hold of the bow, lost myself, ■ 
woke up and found myself at least a mile ahead, and 
all this for a mere pittance, hardly enough to 'keep 
soul and body together. ' Then a naked crust of 
bread was sweeter than the richest bridal cake I 
ever tasted, and that is saying a great deal. Year 
after year the early frosts cut off our crops, and we 
had to depend on southern corn, which we had thus 
laboriously to obtain. Talk about hard times, who- 
soever may, we don 't know here in the west at this 
time, the first single letter in 'the hard times alphabet. ' 
These reminiscences bring tears of gratitude to my 
eyes at this moment. And but for the benefit of the 
seaboard and lier inexhaustible fisheries, I see not 
how we could have possibly survived total starvation. 
Our country, however, produced potatoes, peas, 
beans, and garden vegetables in a fair abundance, 
and we w^ere able, by a great deal of hard labor and 
economy, to keep up a fair dairy, and sheep to fur- 
nish us tlie materials for winter apparel, which our 
mothers and sisters carded by hand, and spun and 
wove at home. 

The music of the spinning-wheel, 
The shuttle and the loom, 



118 cotton's sketch-book. 

greeted us from early dawn till nine or ten o' clock 
at night. I fancy I see — I hear it now, and I am 
young again — back to the days of ^^outh and child- 
hood — back to the dear parental hearth — parental 
care and protection, and the fanciful contemplation 
is mournfully sweet to my heart. 

But the embargo times were succeeded by others 
more severe and trying. Our husbands, sons, and 
brothers, either by 'drafts ' or 'enlistments, ' were 
torn from home to meet death, perhaps, 

On the field of battle, 
"Where blood and carnage clothe the ground in crimson, 
Sounding with death-groans. 

I shall never forget the time when an express w^as 
sent into my neighborhood, post-haste, one Sabbath 
afternoon, for a draft of so many to be made, forth- 
with, and to be at Portland on the next day, 'armed 
and equipped for military duty. ' The British fleet 
lay off in sight, and an attack upon the beautiful 
city of Portland was reasonably anticipated. That 
was a time that tried men' s souls. Some responded 
to the draft cheerfully, and seemed eager for the 
fight. Others ingloriously paid almost any price 
for a substitute. And my lady' s brother, Benjamin, 
at a good round price, took the place of one less 
courageous and less patriotic, perhaps, though, it 
must be admitted that circnmstances alter cases. 
If ever I longed to be a man, it was then, when I 



cotton's sketch-book. 119 

was hardly thirteen years of age. Bright and 
early on Monday morning, our brave boys bade a 
hasty adieu to home and friends, and amid tears 
and blessings took the line of march for the post of 
danger and death, to defend their common country 
or die in her common cause. But so it was, after 
tying off in sight for some time, and no doubt, by 
some means or signals, ascertainino; that we were 
ready to give them a ivarm reception, they aban- 
doned the intended expedition, and hauled off to 
other fields of operation, and many of our valorous 
men returned home after an absence of several 
weeks, vexed that they had missed a fight. I more 
than once visited what is call Portland Neck or 
Promontory, when its forts and barracks were 
swarming with men 'with nodding plumes and coats 
of uniform. ' I hear their drums and fifes, I see their 
then marshal tread and evolutions, and catch the 
glowing enthusiasm, while thus I write, as in the 
days 'Lang Syne. ' 

When the starthng intelligence swept over the 
land, that the city of Washington, the Capital of the 
Nation, was taken and pillaged, 'the hearts of patri- 
ots died within them. ' I could name ^iiany that I 
now see in n*y mind' s eye, as they mournfully 
walked the street, or, gathering together in little 
groups, to counsel each other upon the sad and dis- 
heartening intelligence. I recollect, too, some of 



120 

the anti-war men, who seemed to exult that they 
were not committed. And with great complacency, 
as though they were sages and Solomons, they would, 
with seeming delight, 'cast into their teeth, ' 1 told 
you so. Many a wakeful, restless night have I 
spent, dreading the consequences, wishing that I 
had the power to avenge and save my countr}^, and 
praying God to interpose in our behalf. And when 
I learned that the next attack would, in all probabil- 
ity, be made upon New Orleans, and General Jack- 
son had charge of her defense ; every night at my 
youthful prayers, (for I was taught never to close 
my eyes in sleep witliout prayer, ) yes, every night 
I prayed for General Jackson, of whom I knew 
nothing up to this time. Every patriot eye was 
turned hi that direction, and New Orleans was the 
engrossing theme of thought, of conversation, and of 
inquiry. Between five and six weeks after the bat- 
tle of New Orleans, the glad, the overwhelmingly 
joyful news was heralded through Maine by govern- 
ment expresses on horseback. Put your horse 
through at the top of his speed, as far as he can go, 
and then turn him out and mount another. 'Uncle 
Sam ' will foot the bill, seemed to be the instruction. 
Intelligence on a joyful theme like this could not be 
disseminated through the land in less than five or 
six weeks ! Now it can be done in about as many 



cotton's sketch-book. 121 

seconds of time ! ! I What an age of improvement 
and progress, truly. 

The joyful intelhgence of New Orleans reached 
me thus. I was at school, about one mile from home, 
and about the middle of the afternoon, Josiah Walker, 
a dear cousin of mine hove in sight, on his return 
from Portland, with his oxen and sled, a handker- 
chief tied to the top of a long stake, old '•sta.t and 
bright ' going it at the speed of 'double quick time, ' 
and he proclaiming at the top of his voice every few 
minutes, 'General Jackson has w^hipped the British ! 
General Jackson has whipped the British ! I ' The 
wdiole school was perfectly electrified, my own heart 
beat quick and free, the teacher ran out to make 
inquiry, and learned that an express of that kind had 
just been received at Portland. On went Josiah, 
and in came the teacher, announced the joyful news, 
and turned us all out in a hurry ! and such another 
scampering I never saw. 'Without stop or let ' I 
hastened home at the top of my speed, and nearly 
out of breath, I burst open the parental door, and 
exclaimed most unceremoniously, as best I could. 
General Jackson has whipped the British ! General 
Jackson has whipped the British ! ! O, I was per- 
fectly frantic with delight ; almost too happy to live ; 
and recounting the scene I weep too much to write, 
and must pause to give vent to my feelings, pay a 
6 



122 cotton's sketch-book. 

tearful tribute to the past, and a grateful one to the 
God of nations as well as of men. 

Such a meeting together of patriots, such rejoic- 
ings I never before, or never since, saw or heard. 
The valleys and the mountains echoed back joy and 
thanksgiving and praise in every direction. And 
from that day to this, no living man ever occupied so 
large and so warm a seat in my aifections, as a mili- 
tary or political man, as General Jackson. 



Gen. Jackson's Birtii-day Celebration. 

The first birth-day after his death, was on the 
Sabbath ; and I was requested to select a text, and 
pronounce a sermon suitable for the occasion, which 
my heart of course, felt more than willing to do. 
A very large concourse of people had assembled to- 
gether, to participate in the mournful, pleasant ex- 
ercises of the day. I selected for my text 'whom 
having not seen, ye love. ' 

None I believe, took exceptions to my text after 
my application of it. It was regarded generally, I 
believe, as being decidedly one of my very best ef- 
forts. I concluded my address with a 'bran, splinter 
new poem ' for the occasion, which seemed to take 
all with a very general, and very agreeable surprise. 
And here I ])resent it to your consideration, for your 
entertainment and benefit. 



cotton's sketch-book. 123 

ODE 

to gen. JACKSON'S RELIGIOUS BIRTIIDAY CELEBRATION. 

Air — at x>leasuTC. 

Hushed be Hhc music of the spheres ' let freemen's grate- 
ful lay, 

In one, loud chorus fill the earth, on this auspicious day I 

Throughout the land let old and young, 'the lovely, and 
the fair, ' 

To pay 'a tribute ' to true worth, their grateful hearts 
prepare ! 

My countrymen, with hearts all warm, we meet to cele- 
brate 

The birth-day of our Jackson dear, 
Jackson the good and great. 

In seventeen hundred sixty- seven (17G7), Andrew the 

great was born. 
Just seventy-nine (79) eventful years, this precious. Sab- 
bath morn. 
Long did he live to bless our land, and vindicate her 
rights ! 

Now gone to his reward in heaven, 
To reap untold delights. 

When 'savage war' and dread alarm were heard all o'er 

the land. 
To quell those foes 'away down south ' who led our mar- 
shal band V 
Who met 'the red man ' face to face, his country to de- 
fend ? 

Go ask the tribes who with him fought 
Alonij 'the horse-shoe bend ! ' 



124 cotton's sketch-book. 

Tallapoosa will tell of gore, and Tallahassee, too, 

'Twas a sawauna peace, returned through Jackson, unto 

you; 
'The red men' and 'the red coats' too, found Jackson 
'full of fight, ' 

He alwaj^s left them in their gore, 
Or on the wings of flight. 

Brave Jackson met 'proud Packingham ' and all his 

vaunting host, 
The 'beauty and the booty ' saved, and drove them from 

our coast; 
"Valor and wisdom, ever marked each move in his 'war 
scenes,' 

The proudest victory ever won 
Was that of New Orleans. 

Behold him in 'the forum ' fair guiding 'the ship of 

State ' 
"Where 'all the nations ' own his skill, and all pronounce 

him great; 
His chief desires he lived to see, accomplished to his 
mind, 

His dear, loved country and himself, 
He then to God resigned. 

In peaceful slumbers soft and sweet, beside his faithful 

wife, 
He rests in hope, tillboth shall wake to 'everlasting life; ' 
The 'conqueror of the conquerors ' a greater victory won. 
When he subdued frail human self. 
Through God's beloved son. 

The glory of his 'marshal tread,' the 'civic wreath ' of 
fame. 



125 

Are vanity and dross, compared to his late Christian 

name ; 
The 'scroll of fame ' shall long record the greatness of 
his name, 

Firmness and truth, and 'honor bright ' 
And Jackson, are the same. 

A name to freemen ever dear, to tyrants, death and gall, 
Give us such men to guide the State, be this the prayer 

of all ! 
Farewell, great Jackson, words can' t tell how dearly 
loved thou art; 

O, may the firmness of thy mind. 
Inspire each freeman's heart ! 

Then hush 'the music of the spheres ' let freemen's 

grateful lay 
In one loud chorus 'fill the eaitli ' on this auspicious day I 



In his latter days, General Jackson became deeply 
pious, and joined tlie Christian church. His note to 
me, which you will see elsewhere, is richly seasoned 
with grace ; and its perusal cannot fail to gladden the 
heart of every true child of God. 

I will introduce you to it, by and by. 

And now in all humility and meekness, may I not 
ask, have I not kept myself pretty well 'posted up ' 
in the history and the w\ars of the country ? And 
do not the two last poems abundantly sustain the 
record ? Well, little boys, I did not gain all the in- 



126 cotton's sketch-book. 

formation wliicli I have turned here to such a good 
account, by strutting the streets with a cigar in my 
mouth, nor by loafing around liquor saloons, or any 
other evil retreat ; but by a wise and judicious ap" 
plication of all my spare dimes, to the purchase of 
good books, and all my leisure hours in their perusal ; 
as elsewhere, stated more fully. Compare your 
course and your pleasures, your honor and your fame, 
with mine ; and then say, does it pay to live a vir- 
tuous and useful life ? Does it, indeed ? 

And here is where the rum and tobacco questions 
come in again with good telling effect. Will you 
profit by it ? 

I will fill this page with one of my 4th of July 
volunteer toasts, as was usual in former times. 

General Jackson now and ever, 
He would not let the Union sever; 
In 'the forum ' and 'the field ' 
His country's rights would never yield. 
JSTow that he fills 'the chair of State ' 
His acts proclaim him truly great; 
When having run his appointed race, 
May another good citizen take his place ! 

This toast was responded to, in the good old way, 
by 'three guns and nine hearty cheers. ' 

Now I ask, not to please myself, but to benefit 
you, is not that some, for a poor boy, a getting up in 
the picture ? And does not the end truly justify 
the means ? 



cotton's sketch-book. 127 

O, boys, boys, make men of yourselves, instead of 
*dandy fops, ' will you ? 



A LOCK OF HAIR. 

I was always a great admirer of General Jackson, 
although I never had the pleasure of being intro- 
duced to him. When lying sick, at Nashville, I ad- 
dressed to him a short note bespeaking a lock of his 
hair, as a memento of him, &c. 

True to his general character, he ^promptly ' ad- 
dressed to me, the following chaste, beautiful and 
friendly Christian note : 



Honored and Dear Sir, Agreeably to your request, 
with great pleasure I herewith enclose to you a lock 
of my hair. My extreme illness prevents me from 
writing much at this time. I am quite unable to 
wield the pen successfully, though I have made the 
effort. I thank you Sir for your very kind, personal 
regards towards me ; and wishing you a long, useful 
and happy life, and a blessed immortality beyond the 
grave, where, through the atonements of a crucified 
Redeemer, I hope to meet you and see you, face to 
face, I subscribe myself, yours most sincerely, 

Andrew Jackson. 



1*28 cotton's sketch-book. 

To which, among other things, I responded thus 

Most honored Sir, I do declare 
That silvered lock of your pure hair, 
Which you in answer to my pra3'er enclosed to me, 
Of tokens all, it is most fair, 
Yes, ' fair as fair can be.' 
Where' er in life, my lot is cast, 
I'll call to mind the fruitful past; 
Your mighty acts, so many, vast. 
As on that lock I gaze. 

I' 11 prize it high, I' 11 hold it fast, 

Till sighs are lost in praise. 
O, let us daily ask for grace 
To run throughout 'the Christian race ' 
Then if we see each other's face, 

Kot once below. 
On Zion' s mount, thrice holy place, " 
We each shall see and know. 

Sweet is the hope, the joy complete, 
When pious friends shall yonder meet. 
And flit along the golden street, 

In robes of white; 
And loud hosannas there repeat 

With pure delight. 

Our friends who have before us gone 
Shall join with us in the glad song, 
Yes, we shall each sing loud and long. 

When all meet there. 
Your 'faith in Christ ' I see is strong. 
In answer to my prayer. 



cotton's sketch-book. 129 

May you wind up life's grand career, 
All full of comfort and good cheer, 
And Angels 'round your bed appear 
As you depart, 
To guard you safe to yon bright sphere. 
So says my heart- 

A. J. Cotton. 



This little poem brought forth the following edi- 
torial in the columns of a New Albany Journal, as 
elsewhere introduced, and will, I think, do well to 
repeat, for 'good reasons :' 'Judge Cotton is certain- 
ly a rare genius and always had a great passion for 
poetic composition. He is now getting quite old, yet, 
he writes poetry with the beauty and elegance of 
earlier years. His style is peculiarly his own, and 
some of his productions have found their way into 
some of the first magazines of flie country. We 
remember that once on a time, he wrote a little son- 
net, that would have done credit to Tom Hood ; all 
about 'a lock of General Jackson' s hair ' which the 
old General had enclosed to him in a letter from the 
hermitage.' What ! A. J. Cotton, a poor, obscure lit- 
tle boy, rise up to correspond with General Jackson, 
and win such an editorial puff! Here boys, is where 
the rum and tobacco comes in again. Don' t you see 
6* 



130 cotton's sketch-book. 

it ? and don' t it pay ? and pay well, too ? Now 
don't it ? 

Any one can see that letter and lock of hair, by 
calling at my pretty residence, Yarmouth, Me. 



cotton's sketch-book. 131 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Whenever any 'big doings ' were being had in my 
county, I was generally on hand as an officer or 
with a poem, or a speech. This chapter will be de- 
voted to Agricultural Fairs. 

ODE 

To the first Dearborn County Agricultural Fair; and 
which will be more or less applicable to Fairs gen- 
erally. 

The Dearborn County Fair shall usher in my song; 
Please lend me your attention, it will not take me long; 
So my humble muse 'tune up, ' 'wide awake ' 
In truth and rhj^me, a synopsis now take. 
Of the Dearborn County Fair. 

There were geldings and mares, Jennets too, and Jacks, 
Koans, dapple grays and sorrels, creams, chestnuts and 

blacks ; 
All sorts and all sizes, sleek' d off for a show; 
Some were most beautiful, and others so, so — 

At the Dearborn County Fair. 

There were oxen and cows, calves, sheep and fat hogs, 
Polar chickens and brahmas, and plenty of dogs; 
There were farming utensils, a grain-sower and plough; 
And threshing machines, that did it up — how. 
At the Dearborn County Fair. 



132 cotton's sketch-book. 

There was grass-seed, wheat, potatoes and corn, 
Fine apples and peaches 'as ever were born; ' 
There was cabbage and beets, and radishes, too, 
Sweet potatoes and jDears, most pleasing to view, 
At the Dearborn County Fair. 

There was, let me see ; but I will not tell all, 
Lest your patience I weary, and my story forestall. 
But butter ; O, bless me! as yellow as gold. 
As sweet as pure honey, admired, but not sold. 
At the Dearborn County Fair. 

The finest of bread, too, to match the fine butter. 
You'd eat it with pleasure, and for more you would 

mutter; 
There were stockings and shoes, and carpets and quilts. 
Counterpanes and blankets, the work of no jilts, 

At the Dearborn County Fair. 

The patterns were fine, and the needlework, too. 
Such as our ladies know just how to do; 
Crysanthemums and dahlias, and roses, in bloom; 
And geraniums, too, all rich in perfume, 
At the Dearborn County Fair. 

There were saddles and bridles, harnesses, whips. 
And I venture to say, that not one of 'em rips; 
They were tasty and neat, and made a fine show; 
They must have been extra, talked about so 
At the Dearborn County Fair. 

And buggies and gigs, if you ever wish to ride 
Easily, gracefully, and with honest pride. 
Just purchase a carriage of Helper & Co., 
Encourage true merit, and thus add to the show. 
Of the Dearborn County Fair. 



cotton's sketch-book. 133 

But the ladies ; O, bless them ! so lovely and fair, 
All neater than pinks, were the finest things there; 
Their presence and smiles, send joy to the heart , 
May they meet us next year, and all take a part, 
In the Dearborn County Fair. 

Such a show once a year, must do us much good, 
Henceforth we shall 'farm it ' much more as we should; 
Emulation and pride, will 'the masses' inspire, 
Next year we will 'come it ' infusing new fire, 
At the Dearborn County Fair. 

Two full acres in one, and far better than that, 
If We keep our farms neat, and keep our land fat; 
And horticulture, too, neglected too long, 
Shall inspire my muse, and continue my song, 
Of the Dearborn County Fair. 

May neatness and flowers, instead of rank weeds, 
The garden adorn, then rich its proceeds; 
Men, women and children 'fly about ' and prepare, 
And next year without fail, be sure to be there, 
At the Dearborn County Fair. 

Everything we make, eat, drink or wear, 
Should be greatly improved, at our next County Fair. 
Then hand in your names, and 'fork over ' your cash, 
And there will be neither 'poor stock ' nor poor trash, 
At our next County Fair. 

This ode seemed to be a very timely and accep- 
table offering, and won for me much credit and praise. 
I give it a place in my sketch book, that all the little 
boys may see how easy it is to tell a story in 'poetic 
numbers' when you know how; and that all the 



134 cotton's sketch-book. 

Agricultural interests of the country, may avail 
themselves of the benefit of my suggestions. *To do 
good and communicate, forget not ; for with such 
sacrifices, God is well pleased. ' Bible. 



ODE TO INDUSTRY. 

Sung at the first Agricultural Fair, of Dearborn Co. 
and ordered by vote, to be published with the proceed- 
ings, together with a vote of thanks, to the author. 

APOTHEGM. 

'Cursed is the ground, for thy sake. ' Gen. iii- 16. 
Air — AuJd Lang Syne. 

Cursed be the ground in mercy cursed, for fallen sinful 

man ; 
And who that rightly understands, does not approve God's 

plan. 
This is a life of constant toil, hereafter we shall rest; 
And he who is most active here, shall there enjoy it best. 
The cultivation of the earth, through toil, and sweat and 

sighs. 
Is heaven's choicest, richest boon, all blessings in disguise. 
The thorns and thistles, that we dread, which choke the 

growing grain. 
Give exercise to willing hands, and health and peace 

maintain. 
The idle and the dissolute, most sure to ruin run, 
"Who proves a burden to himself, oft as the rich man's 

son. 
The toiling millions of the earth, enjoy night's sweet 

repose. 



135 

All strangers unto wakefulness, and other people's woes. 
Then push along 'the mighty plough' cheer up! go 

Charlie ! go ! 
And men and boys, in merry mood, keep moving with 

the hoe. 
And shove, and shove the plane along, ye artists of the 

land ; 
'Tis by your strength and industry, we ever more must 

stand. 
The smith, beside his glowing forge, his anvil and his 

vice. 
With brawny hands and merry brow, will serve you in a 

trice. 
The politician 'wide awake ' will smile, and scrape, and 

bow ; 
And pledge you much some other time, to get your vote 

'just now.' 
The student, at his musty books, with scientific fires, 
Propels the car along the track, and thoughts, along the 

wires. 
The soldier, at the cannon's mouth, death staring in his 

face, 
'Mid clashing steels defends his land, from ruin and dis- 
grace. 
The sailor, 'ploughs proud ocean's foam, ' no timid heart 

has he ; 
To gather wealth, he boldly braves 'the perils of the sea. ' 
The doctor mounts his trusty nag and on through sleet 

and snow, 
He hastens to the sick one's couch, to soothe 'the wail of 

woe.' 
The lawyer, and the ermined judge, well versed in legal 

lore, 



136 cotton's sketch-book* 

By mental toil are known abroad, and famed 'from shore 

to shore. ' 
The minister, divinely sent with messages of love, 
Points to 'the house not made with hands ' eternal, and 

above. 
*The music of the spinning-wheel, ' the shuttle and tl^ 

loom. 
Would sweeten all the ills of life, and chase away the 

gloom. 
The kitchen and the parlor, too, ye lovely and ye fair. 
Becomes you all, and will repay your presence and your 

care. 
All, all on earth, should active be, the Sun and Moon and 

stars, 
Keep whirling through the void immense. Earth, Jupiter 

and Mars. 
Then push along the mighty plough, cheer up ! go Char- 
ley ! go ! 
And men and boys in merry mood, 'keep moving ' with 

the hoe. 

The great object of this poem, is to reconcile men, 
women and children, to their lots of toil and conflict. 
"When mankind had become fallen and debased, a 
paradisical state of idleness would have been ruin- 
ous to him ; and God, in mercy, turned him out to 
cultivate the earth ; and to earn his bread, by the 
sweat of his brow. I hope all the little boys will 
receive comfort and profit, by its perusaL This was 
thought in its time to be a very happy hit ; and won 
for me unmeasured praise, at home and abroad. 

The savings of rum and tobacco, applied to the 



cotton's sketch-book. 187 

purchase of good books, furnish the means for all this 
usefulness and honest fame. Does it pay, boys ? 
or rather does it not pay well ? Try it boys ! 



ODE TO PKOGKESS. 

Sung at the Dearborn Co. Agricultural Fair. 1854. 
apothegm: 'Up and at it. ' 
Air—Auld Lang Syne. 
What great improvements mark the age in which we 

chance to live; 
O, who would then an idler be, and not his tribute give ? 
Then 'up and at it ' little boys ! nor lose one single min- 
ute ; 
You all should make this world the better, for having 

once been in it. 
How things have changed, and been improved, within 

a few brief years ! 
It swells the heart with gratitude, and calls forth hearty 

cheers. 
When we were little boys and girls, some fifty years ago. 
We used our tinder, flint and steel, 'twas click, and puff 

and blow ; 
But now, we take a bit of pine, and split it fine and then — 
Into a 'chemical compound ' the ends we just dip in, 
A little friction then will raise 'a blazing torch of fire; ' 
Perhaps we hardly need expect to carry that much higher. 
We used to rake our hay by hand, our ploughs were 

made of wood ; 
Now, they are made of polished steel, and horses, rake 

so good. 



138 

Horses and oxen used to draw our produce and our 

goods, 
O' er mountains, hills and valleys, too, through slashes 

and the woods ; 
But now our famed 'old iron horse 'comes snorting on 

the track. 
Swift as the winds, our goods and all, he ' 11 take right 

there, and back. 
To cross the ocean, years gone by, consumed long, wea- 
ry months ; 
But now, our gallant ships of steam, will take you there 

at once. 
Expresses, too, we used to send on horseback, through 

deep mires ; 
But now, they go with 'lightning speed ' on telegraphic 

wires. 
Improvements must, and will go on, though telegraphs 

are some, 
They' 11 surely be behind the times, in fifty years to come. 
'The master spirit of the age ' O, who, who shall it be ? 
Let every youngster here respond, it may, it shall, be me! 
Then 'up and at it ' brave, young men, nor lose one sin- 
gle minute ; 
You all should make the world some better, for having 

just been it. 
"When Franklin sent his little kite and bottle to that 

cloud. 
And filled it full of lightning red, it was a conquest proud ; 
But O ! how little did he dream, that electric fires 
Would e'er diffuse great truths abroad, on long, suspended 

wires. 
Developments in moral truth, in science and in art, 
Forever lead to others sure, of one great whole, a part. 



cotton's sketch-book. 139 

Then 'up and at it ' one and all, nor lose one single 
minute ; 

You all should leave this world much better, for be- 
ing ever in it. 

The following record soon appeared in the papers, 
to wit : 

'At a meeting of the board of directors, of the 
Dearborn County Agricultural Society, the follow- 
ing resolution was unanimously adopted. Resolved, 
that Rev. A. J. Cotton be, and he is hereby presen- 
ted with a life honorary membership, in this society. 
The 'Ode to Progress' was made by him, and sung at 
the third Annual Fair of said society. 1854. 

J. W. Eggleston, President. 

Fmncis Worley, Secretary. 

Boys, look at that, and then at this ! Will you ? 



A POETIC ADDRESS. 
Pronounced at the Dearborn Co. Agricultural Fair. 1857. 

'A farmer's forest life, ' I own, has many charms for me ; 

Give ear my friends, awhile, and the wherefores you 
shall see. 

He first selects 'a tract of land ' midst birds and blossoms 
fair. 

Then settles in his anxious mind, to make his home right 
there. 

Erects a neat log cabin, out in the open woods ; 

Has neither stock nor cash, perhaps, nor much of house- 
hold goods. 



140 

But the hope of better days, gives strength unto his arm, 
And 'at it ' now he goes, to clear him up a farm; 
His viands, coarse and common, and scanty, too, at that; 
But instead of getting poor, he is rather getting fat. 
Toil gives it 'a good relish ' and sweetens his repose, 
'For change and recreation ' to hunt awhile he goes; 
With rifle on his shoulder, and with Jowler at his side, 
The space between him and his home, is soon made very 

wide. 
He scours both 'hills and dales ' for turkeys, bears and 

deer, 
Returns at night quite weary, with 'lots ' of hearty cheer ; 

perhaps. 
His wife and little ones, smiling and all fair, 
Now hasten out to meet him, and soothe his brow of 

care ; 
His tea 'perhaps of sassafras, of spicebush, or of sage*, 
Has long been waiting, but goes 'first-rate ' I' 11 venture 

to engage. 
And then, he has fine 'nuts to crack ' at eve, or in foul 

weatheri 
His overalls, were sometimes made of yellow tanned 

'buckskin leather. ' 
His neighbors, all are very kind, each feels himself a 

brother; 
For lack of schools, his children are all taught at home 

by mother. 
He has 'a little patch for truck ' though rather rough at 

first. 
He cannot do without it, and have it he will, and must. 
In time, it makes a 'pretty garden ' full of 'sweet shrubs 

and flowers, ' 



cotton's sketch-book. 141 

Where he 'his wife and children ' spend many happy- 
hours: or at least, should. 
As time rolls on, his fertile fields, and herds and flocks 

increase, 
His cribs and stables well supplied, his yards, with poul- 
try, pigs and geese; 
And as occasion may require, he' 11 slay, and cook and 

eat. 
For pure domestic hajipiness, his life is *hard to beat. ' 
Tis true, we had our troubles then, and you all have them 

now. 
So happiness at last depends upon the mind I trow; 
We were quite happy in those days, in hope of better 

times. 
And made a shift to get along, and live without 'the 

dimes. ' 
For fifty cents, or less, my friends, we 'd toil all day in 

summer. 
And keep as busy too, at that, as any little drummer; 
We 'd sell our corn at sixteen cents, not always sure of 

that. 
And pork, one dollar twenty-five, that was all 

rolling fat. 
With tow and linen pantaloons, and hats of 'chip and 

straw, ' 
We lived upon equality, and seldom 'went to law. ' 
Our corn we ground in mills, by hand, to make our 

'bread and mush; ' 
And often went abroad all barefoot, O hush now, hush ! 

hush ! ! hush ! ! ! 
Our wives, our sons and daughters, could fare but little 

better, 
'Tis true what I am telling friends, 'true to the very 

letter. ' 



142 

Just fifty cents per week, was all 'our gals ' could get. 

And thought a chance like that, a very happy hit. 

Eight cents per pound for butter, and eggs, four cents 

per dozen, 
The highest price one could obtain, from merchant, 

friend, or cousin. 
A striped linsey home-made dress, they' d 'cut a merry 

dash, ' 
Which they had spun and wove and made, without one 

dime in cash. 
Our teachers took their 'hard earned ' pay, in corn and 

pork and beef, 
A little linsey, now and then, would give them great 

relief; 
They' d board around from place to place, nor murmur at 

the fare, 
Would bow at your devotions, and often 'lead in prayer. ' 
The Preachers, bless 'em ! one and all, went forth 'both 

far and near, ' 
To warn poor sinners of their ways, the saints to 'feast 

and cheer; ' 
They' d 'go through thick and thin ' through mud and 

sleet and snow. 
You' d always 'find them at their post ' if you yourself 

would go. 
Their churches were 'a neighbor's cabin ' upon some 

ridge or creek, 
With chimneys built with 'cats and mud ' for then we 

had no brick; 
With 'puncheon floors ' all under foot, and clapboards 

over head; 
And lights for windows 'paper oiled ' I' ve witnessed 

what I' ve said. 



cotton's sketch-book. 143 

All clad in coarse, plain home spun, and 'neater than a 

pink, ' 
He takes his family to church to ' worship God and think ' 
About his future home, in climes more bright and fair. 
Then consecrate himself anew, by faith and humble 

prayer. 
Begins the week quite much refreshed, in body and in 

skill, 
Assured that God is with him now, he sinks into his will. 
His wife and children, are all now, to him surpassing 

fair; 
Delighted with his forest home, finds peace and comfort 

there. 
And oft, with one child in his arms, another on his back, 
He 'cuts across ' the forest wide, along his blazed out 

track, 
To spend a happy evening, with some dear, kind forest 

friends ; 
Then with 'a lighted torch ' his homeward way he wends. 
Upon his safe arrival there, he strikes him up a fire, 
How happy we shall be my dear, when we have neigh- 
bors nigher ! 
Talks o' er his pleasant visit, then bows himself in prayer. 
And soon in peaceful slumbers, forgets both toil and care. 
The wolf, the bear, the panther, quite oft beset his track, 
The very first he knows perhaps, they' re well nigh on his 

back; 
But God preserves him strangely, his wife and bub and 

sis, 
I' ve witnessed in my time, dear friends, such thrilling 

scenes as this. 
Still to our homes we'd fondly cling, and grub and hoe 

and plow, 



144 cotton's sketch-book. 

Perhaps we all were happier then, than any of us here, 

are now. 
We had fine peaches, 'rich as cream ' to eat, to sell and 

To the memory of those days, I pay 'the tribute of a sigh. ' 
Still these are better times, by far, and happier we should 

be, 
Such great improvements in my time, I never thought 

to see. 
"VVe used to deal alone on time, and paid up, in produce, 
To ask the cash no one presumed, unless 'to play the 

deuce. ' 
Now, 'ready cash' is 'all the go 'for labor, goods, or 

wares. 
And lo! my friends, we have fine 'Agricultural Fairs. ' 
What mighty changes for the better these forty years 

have wrought ! 
To you, young friendsj 'a rich inheritance, to us, most 

dearly bought. 
Young ladies, and young gentlemen, you scarce 'begin 

to know ' 
The dangers, toils and hardshij^s, we had to undergo 
In clearing uji the country, that' s now so bright and 

fair; 
Which you from us inherit, without a seeming care. 
Our roads were rough and muddy too, our mills so far away 
It took one full day to go, and sometimes two, to stay; 
Your roads are fine, and turnpiked, too, your mills are 

just in sight, 
Where you can go and get your grist, and back before 

'tis night; 
You have your 'railroads and canals, ' 3'our telegraphic 

wires, 



cotton's sketch-book. 145 

Fine churches, too, to worship God, with carpets, bells 

and spires. 
You have fine houses, and fine farms, barouches, chaise 

and gigs, 
And dress in silks and broadcloth, and feast on dainties 

and roast pigs. 
Cleave to these farms, young gentlemen, improve and 

keep them nice ! 
They'll yield you health and plenty, and keep you out of 

vice; 
The rush for learned professions, is rushing into strife, 
And oft is purchased at the price of happiness for life. 
'The brawling politician ' lives in a constant muss, 
To keep up fair appearance, must keep an endless fuss; 
His life is restless as can be, nor dare he once deny it, 
If any of you doubt it, friends, just sell your farms, and 

'try it. ' 
The lawyer, too, has strife on strife, the doctor has 

great care, 
Be the success what e'er it may, or practice anywhere: 
Both are essential callings, though, and oft they 'make 

it pay, ' 
But would you once exchange with them, say farmers, 

say ? 
You are thrice happy as you plant, and happy as you 

sow. 
Or as you follow the good old plough, or cradle, reap or 

mow; 
Richer by far, than mighty kings, in palace, hall, or dome, 
As you chant your merry anthem, your own sweet har- 
vest home. 
'Huzza ! huzza both men and boys, for the farmer and 
mechanic, 
7 



146 cotton's sketch-book. 

They both are 'independent men ' and no bank money 

panic 
Can e'er disturb their sweet repose, or tarnish their good 

name, 
They're loved and honored in their lives, and in their 

deaths the same. 
Where are those hardy pioneers, who early settled here? 
Most of them gone, and very soon, the last will disappear; 
I too, am frail, and getting old, and soon must pass away, 
Well, 'be it so ' I am content, since I have seen this day. 
Forty long years have well nigh fled, and years of change 

and toil, 
Since I first settled in your midst, and purchased of your 

soil; 
'Twas then 'a howling wilderness' with scarce one stick 

amiss, 
Nor did I then begin to dream, of seeing a day like this. 
I leave the country much improved, in 'science and in 

art,' 
And trust I've been no 'hanger on, ' have acted well my 

part. 
May smiling peace and plenty, forever bless this land; 
For 'truth and right ' dear friends, forever firmly stand ! 
Is the wish and prayer of your speaker. 

I need hardly say that I sat down in a perfect 
shower of vociferous and prolonged cheering. Does 
it pay to be useful and true ? This has been pro- 
nounced to be the very greatest, grandest and truest 
poem of the kind that the world ever saw. And it 
will be heard or read with deeper and deeper inter- 
est, the farther 'we glide down the stream of time. ' 



147 

And now, by way of concluding this chapter, let me 
say, that I won a premium of $15. 00, for the 
best essay on Agriculture, against two well educated 
and professional gentlemen, of high standing. The 
State board published it in their annual report, and 
sent to my address a very pretty and well bound 
book, containing it. 

Now is that not something to be justly proud of? 
A poor, self-made man, to compete successfully with 
two college learned and professional men ! Is that 
nothing to be courted and admired ? Do I merit 
the epithet of an egotist, for writing out my own true 
history? Egotism, indeed! I indignantly repel the 
charge. I have no vanity to flatter. I am a frail, 
feeble, old man, and soon, very soon shall have 
passed away. I strike for higher game, to encourage 
not only the little boys of this generation, but the 
little boys for many generations, to come. I fully 
believe, that God gave to me my talents to be im- 
proved — gave to me my very w^onderful experience, 
and has most kindly preserved my life, to write it 
out ; and opened up the way for me to publish it to the 
world. I know I thus write to glorify God, and to 
do good to my race, and not for vain glory. 

Those who have never achieved anything either 
good or great, in the world, nothing to inspire their 
own esteem, or the esteem and good opinions of 
others, may turn up their noses, make up wry faces, 



148 cotton's sketch-book. 

and cry, egotism ! egotism ! egotism ! to their own 
heart's content ; while I go about my way, and 
'pursue the even course of my affairs ' happy and 
content. By dint of close study, hard and constant 
application, I know that I have performed wonders; 
and you all know it too. I give the little boys and 
young men the benefit of my example, hoping that 
they will as far outdo me, as I have outdone you. 
And that is saying much ; and here I leave you, for 
the present. 



cotton's SJiETCH-BOOK. 149 



CHAPTER XIV. 
Sabbath School Poems. 

ODE TO SABBATH SCHOOLS. 

Air—Auld Lang Syne. 

CANTO I. 

Awake my muse, the Sabbath Schools 

Now claim a lay from thee ; 
And teachers, as 'your work of love, ' 

My offering is free. 
Soon will these boys become 'young men, 

These girls 'young ladies too, ' 
Their moral culture for the time, 

Entrusted is to you. 
The first impressions that are made, 

Are lasting as the mind. 
See to it then that every one 

To virtue be inclined. 
O 'tis indeed a tender charge, 

To have the care of youth. 
To lead them from the 'haunts of vice, ' 

In all 'the path of truth. ' 
And yet it is a 'pleasing task, ' 

Tliose lessons to impart, 
That strengthen and improve the mind 

And purify the heart. 



150 



Eternity alone can tell 

The good you will have done, 

Then onward roll the enterprise, 
Rejoicing every one. 

CANTO II. 

Now scholars dear I pray you all 

Hallow God 's holy day, 
And love your school, your teachers, too. 

Who often for you pray. 

Let God be first in whom you trust, 

And he shall guide you well, 
"What you should do, and what eschew, 

His word and spirit tell. 

The precepts that are clearly taught 
In God 's most precious book. 

Would comfort and sustain you all 
Though heaven and earth were shook. 

I think alas ! how soon will pass 
The pleasing scenes of youth, 

And what I now do say to you 
You '11 find to be a truth. 

This world of woe through which you go 

Is full of 'pits and snares, ' 
Unless you daily 'watch and pray ' 

You '11 fall in unawares. 

The fatal bowl which blights the soul, 

O ! dash at once away, 
'Twill ruin all, both great and small. 

And drain the purse to pay. 

The brightest hopes, the fairest flowers. 
Before it droop and die. 



151 



Then say dear youth I '11 touch it not, ' 
Nor I — nor I — nor I — . 

You will succeed in rapid speed 

To rule in Church or State, 
O ! try and qualify yourselves 

Eor trusts that are so great. 

Our stripes and stars will very soon 

Be trusted to your care, 
May you be ready to receive 

And keep them bright and fair. 

And may the God of peace and love 

Direct your roving feet, 
And in the 'house not made with hands, ' 

May we at last all meet. 

CANTO III. 

Now friends and neighbors one and all 

Keep up 'the Sabbath Schools ; ' 
They will do more for tender youth 

Then arbitrary rules. 
They '11 save your sons and daughters fair, 

From ruin and from sin. 
To rear them up just as you should 

You early should begin. 

No better means, no fitter times 

Instruction to impart. 
As 'Sabbath Schools ' directly tend 

To train the infant heart. 

They everywhere are gotten up 

By men both good and wise, 
O ! cherish and sustain them well 

And rich will be the prize. 



152 

Last year the friends of the first Congregational 
Sabbath School,. Yarmouth, Me., chartered a steam- 
boat, with a Brass Band and banners, for a pleasure 
excursion and picnic, out among the islands of the 
beautiful bay, and came to anchor at Peak 's Island, 
a very justly celebrated summer resort, lying off 
some four or five leagues from Yarmouth harbor. 
Rev. Mr. Bartlett, Pastor, extended to me a kind in- 
vitation to accompany them, and to address his little 
group of happy children ; but there being such a mul- 
titude of other picnicers on hand, it was found to be 
quite out of the question to organize. All enjoyed 
themselves, however, most hugely, in little private 
groups ; and hence the address which I had pre- 
pared, did not come off. But I have concluded to 
publish it, in my little, pretty book, for the benefit 
of all immediately interested therein ; and I inscribe 
it to Sabbath Schools o-enerallv. With slicrht alter- 
ations, it will serve on all such occasions, through all 
coming time. And hence I send it abroad in my 
little book, as part and parcel of my own humble 
record. And here it is, for you. 

ODE FOE A SABBATH SCHOOL PICNIC CELE- 
BRATIOIST. 

Air — ' Hearken ye sprightly. ' 
The Sabbath Schools, hope of the church and nation, 
Have pressing claims upon our time and money ; 
And here we come with music and with banners, 
To cheer to duty. 



cotton's sketch-book. 153 

Then children come ! come one and all together, 
Let us make merry this delightful morning; 
The earth looks gay, clad in her robes of floral 
To greet us welcome. 

To this sweet grove, we come with waving banners 
To enjoy the fragrance of these verdant bowers ; 
And to inhale the cool, refreshing breezes 
Which come to cheer us. 

Here we may talk and laugh, and romp at pleasure, 
And run and jump, and swing and whoop and huzza 
Without restraint, and be in perfect order 
For picnic past-time. 

'Twill do us good, relax the weary muscles, 
Give tone to mind, enfeebled by^close study; 
'The bow long bent, becomes unnerved and useless ' 
When most you need it. 

Your kind good teachers fain would make you happy, 
And see you healthy, loved and good and useful; 
Else they would not have gotten up this picnic 
For your amusement. 

Enjoy it well, just as it was intended. 
And then resume your studies in good earnest; 
Be kind in school, and thus repay your teachers 
For their pains taking. 

Soon you will step upon the stage of action, 
And take a part in 'life' s eventful drama, ' 
See to it then, that all be made the better 
By your example. 

Drinking saloons, those sinks of dissipation. 
With horror shun at once, and on and on forever; 

7* 



154 cotton's sketch-book. 

Touch not the ruby wine, 'it stingeth like an adder, ' 
Thousands have proved it. 

O ! search the scriptures, instead of sickly novels, 
They'll make you wise, and guide your wandering foot- 
steps 
In paths of peace, which lead to bliss immortal; 
When life is over. 

Remember too, that one and all are destined 
To live forever in 'the land of spirits; ' 
So live on earth, that each may gain a mansion 
High up in heaven. 

A cheering word to 'oflScers and teachers, ' 
Yours is a work an Angel might admire ; 
To start the young off in the right direction, 
For lives of honor. 

And parents, too, should take a biding interest 
In Sabbath Schools, those 'nuseries of virtue, ' 
Visit them oft, thus show their deep devotion 
To good instruction 

But after all, the place for youthful training, 
Is right at home, by father, and by mother; 
Let infant minds be taught to love the Saviour, 
In the home circle. 

God bless the children, is my heart's desire, 
May they grow up pious men and women; 
And better serve their day and generation, 
Than did their fathers. 

I hardly know how to conclude my storj^. 
Such is my love for Sabbath School instruction; 
But time forbids, and this must be sufficient 
For this occasion. — Amen. 



cotton's sketch-book. 155 

LITTLE WILLIE, THE CEUSHED BOY. 

I select this little, pretty and most pathetic and 
instructive Sabbath School storj, for the pleasing 
entertainment, and for the mental and moral im- 
provement of my little readers. Here it is for you. 
Read it, will you ? And at your leisure commit it to 
memory ; for declamation, on some Sabbath School 
celebration, as also for the entertainment of your 
parents and teachers, and little friends, generally. 
The Lord bless all the dear little children, while I 
proceed to pen the little article referred to. 

And here it is : — 

A great crowd of people had gathered around 

A small ragged urchin, stretched out on the ground 

In the midst of the street ; and some cried, for shame I 

And others, can any one tell us of his humble name ? 

For that mangled boy, now bleeding and still. 

Was all that w^is left of bright little Will. 

A great heavy cart had come rattling that way, 

Where Willie and others .were busy at play; 

And the poor little fellow, now stretched on the stones, 

Seemed only a mass of crushed flesh and bones. 

But still there was life, and the doctor then said, 

'We must take poor Willie and put him to bed; 

He must have all the care we can possibly give, 

Who knows but that poor Willie may live ? ' 

But alas ! for the lad, he had no nice pretty home. 

He lived in an alley, in a little dark room; 

And his mother, hard toiling from the earliest day-light, 

Had often no supper to give him at night. 



156 

But joy, for poor Willie ! for not far away 

From the place where all crushed and bleeding he lay, 

Is a very large house standing back from the street, 

With everything round it, so quiet and neat, 

Which many good people had built in his name, 

Who healed all the sick, from heaven he came; 

And who promises blessings, that ever endure, 

To those who are kind to the sick and the poor. 

So there in a room, large, cheerful and bright, 

Little Willie was laid on a pillow so white. 

The walls with bright pictures, were covered all o 'er, 

Willie never saw such a nice place before; 

Long rows of small beds, with tables between, 

AH beautiful and nice, and painted with green. 

And so many children all sick, but so bright, 

Willie forgot all his pain at the beautiful sight; 

But the poor boy suffered most terrible pain. 

When the good doctor came to see him again. 

Those poor mangled limbs, he said 'the next day, 

I must bring my sharp knives and cut them away. ' 

Oh ! how could he bear it ? Oh ! what should he do ? 

So small and alone, could he live to get through ? 

Even if he should, he nevermore could run 

And play with the boys, as before he had done. 

Poor Willie ! he felt that in all that great City, 

There was no one to help him, or even to pity. 

It was night — and all was so dark and so still. 

Save the low moanings from poor little Will; 

When a dear little girl, in the very next bed. 

Turned 'round on her pillow, and lovingly said. 

Little boy, what 's the matter ? are you very ill ? 

O, yes, said poor Willie, but what is worse still, 

The doctor is going to hurt my legs so 



cotton's sketch-book. - 157 

To-morrow, I never can stand it, that I just know. 

But Jesus will help you, said dear little Sue, 

He suffered and died, poor Willie, for you; 

The child was astonished, and thus made reply, 

"Why Susie ! who 's Jesus, and what made him die? 

Oh Willie ! how sad ! I thought every one knew, 

You don 't go to Sunday School then, poor Willie, do you ? 

Ko, I never have been, the boy made reply. 

But tell me of .Jesus, and what made him die ? 

Well, Jesus, said Susie, came down long ago, 

From heaven above, to save us from woe; 

Was a very kind and most dutiful child, 

Just as little as we, but so gentle and mild ! 

And when he grew up he went through the land, 

And healed all the sick, by the touch of his hand; 

And he took little children right up in his arms, 

To bless, and to save them from sin' s fatal charms. 

But some wicked men, caught this Jesus one day. 

And beat him, and mocked him, and led him away; 

Nailed him to a cross, which they made out of wood, 

Oh ! wasn 't that cruel, when he was so good ? 

How he must have loved us, to die on the tree, 

Said Willie, if dead, how can he help me ? 

I '11 tell you, said Sue, 'though he' s in heaven, 

In his word, a promise to all he has given; 

Whenever we need him, he '11 come to our aid. 

So cheer up little Willie, and don 't be afraid. 

Very often he comes to the hospital here. 

Though no one can see him, all feel that he is near; 

I know, for I 've tried him again and again. 

He helps us bear sickness, and sorrow and pain. 

O ! how good, said the boy, with a tear and a sigh, 

But I am so small, that he might pass me by; 



158 cotton's sketch-book. 

O, I '11 hold up my hand, just so he can see, 
And then do you think he'll come round to me ? 
O, yes, that he will, he is now passing by. 
Perhaps to take you, right home to the beautiful sky; 
When the bright sun shone on his nice little bed, 
The hand was still raised, but Willie was dead. 
The sad look of pain, had gone from Ms face. 
And the sweet smile of peace, had taken its place; 
Far away in bright heaven, that beautiful land, 
Kind Jesus had seen little Willie 's white hand. 
Come unto me, was the kind message given, 
And he 'woke in the morning, with Jesus in heaven. 
All who may read this sweet story, assuredly will see, 
That Jesus and mercy, and heaven, are free; 
May all who of Jesus ' great mercy have heard, 
Like dear little Willie, take Christ at his word ! 

Is not this single story worth more than the price 
of my book ? 



cotton's sketch-book. 159 



CHAPTER XV. 



TEMPERANCE POEMS. 



FOE A rOUKTH OF JULY TEMPERAKCE CELE- 
BRATION^. 

Air — AuldLang Syne. 

The Temperance Ball, the Temperance Ball I 

Let 's keep it on the roll, 
Till doggeries, those sinks of woe, 

Are crushed from pt>le to pole. 

And every 'Still Tub ' in the land 

Be knocked the 't' other side up, 
And spill the swill that makes the '6ane ' 

'That sparkles in the cup. ' 

The streams of death that issue forth 

From every smoking Still, 
Are blighting all our brightest hopes, 

And all our prisons fill. 

O ! think it o 'er — mature it well; 

That 'fip ' upon thy corn. 
May crush the hopes of many friends, 

And leave them quite forlorn. 

Our fathers fought, and bled, and died, 

Despising ease and gain ; 
And to be worthy of those sires, 

We all should do the same. 



160 



Shall we claim kindred to those men, 

Who live alone for self ? 
And scatter woe, disease and death 

To treasure up our pelf ? 
Nay; starve 'the Worm ' of every Still- 
Convert your grain to bread, 
And send it round from door to door 

Till all the poor are fed. 
Ye topers and ye tipplers, too, 

Though late, you are 'in time ' — 
The second Declaration 's here — 

O ! come you up and 'sign ! ' 
Throw off at once the galling yoke 

King Alcohol imposes ; 
He drains your purse— pollutes your breath, 

And hums to red your Noses ! 
'Hope of my country, ' dear young men, 

O come ! and 'sign the pledge :' 
'TwUl save your country, save you, too, 

As thousands can allege. 
Disease and death lurk in the bowl. 

The mind 'twill shatter, too; 
How can you then preserve the trust 

That soon will fall to you ? 

The destiny of 'Church and State ' 

Will in your hands be placed, 
And if unholy, drunken men. 

Both sure will be disgraced. 

Our Stripes and Stars will very soon 

Be 'trusted to your care; 
May you be ready to receive. 

And keep them bright and fair. 



161 



Let old and young — let boys and girls, 

Like 'Hannibal, ' come up 
And swear eternal hate to him — 

The FOE that 's in the cup. 

Ye blushing Fair lend us your aid — 

Your 's is a potent charm — 
You rule the men who rule the State — 

You can avert the harm. 
O ! never let it be forgot. 

The price that freedom cost; 
But ]3ledge with us your lives, your all, 

It never shall be lost. 

O wield the power wiiich iSJ'ature gives, 

To dry these founts of woe — 
The sorrows of 'a drunkard 's wife, ' 

O may you never know. 

Then roll it on ! — 'that Temperance Ball, ' 

And keep it on the roll. 
Till doggeries, those sinks of woe. 

Are crushed from pole to pole. 



DIVORCE. 
Looking over my court journal of 1839, I find also 
the following memorandum : 

H vs. H . — BILL FOR DIVORCE. 

Testimony. — Plaintiff was married to defendant thir- 
teen years ago, a,nd took with her about two thousand 
dollars worth of property and money; got along swim- 
mingly and happily for several years, at which time 
defendant contracted habits of intemperance, and lat- 



162 cotton's sketch-book. 

terly, for months at a time, has scarcely drawn a sober 
breath. Many have been his acts of cruelty and per- 
sonal violence to his said wife, knocking her down with 
chairs, dragging her about the room by the hair of her 
head; kicking and breaking her ribs, until her life was 
well nigh despaired of; the property all squandered 
away, sold under the hammer for liquor bills and bad 
debts, contracted under its influence; even the little 
pittance which his said wife would earn with her needle 
or at the wash-tub, was often violently seized and ex- 
pended in drams. Plaintiff lived in constant fear, and 
was in imminent danger of life and limb if she longer 
attempted to live with her said husband. 

Many Witnesses. 
Decree, of course, entered accordingly. 
The investigation all through, was one of deep and 
thrilling interest. My heart bled at every pore during 
the painful recital, and I made the following entry in 
my 'note book' at the time, which all the curious can 
see at any time by calling on me : — 

O I intemperance ! intemperance ! ! How many and 
how sad are thy trophies ! How many tender ties hast 
thou severed ! How many bright hopes hast thou ob- 
literated ! How many kind confiding hearts hast thou 
crushed into the very dust ! How many kind parents, 
good husbands, fond wives, dutiful children, true and 
kind friends, hast thou disappointed; made wretched, 
and sent sorrowing to the grave ! How many mil- 
lions hast thou squandered away ! Surely, misery and 
death thou spreadest 'broad-cast' every where, and 
virtue and happiness fly at thy approach. How long 
shall these things be ? These were my reflections, as 
i udged and noted down in my journal nearly twenty 



cotton's sketch-book. 163 

long eventful years ago. And my sluggish muse, ani- 
mated and inspired by the painful reminiscence above 
referred to, is in for a lay; and Pegasus, becoming 
restive and impatient to be off, I drop him a slack rein, 
and here goes : — 

With grief and indignation, too, I heard this tale of woe, 
And tears of deep-felt sympathy, all gushing forth did 

flow; 
It did not well become a judge, full well, my friends, I 

know it, 
But as my heart so freely bled, I must and could but 

show it. 

I thought of early and bright hopes, now sere, and cold, 

and dead. 
And bliss so rich and full and sweet, that had for ever 

fled; 
A home that once was full of joy, now full of grief and 

pain ; 
And as I mused, I deeply sighed, and freely wept again. 

With broken heart and mind and health, this once most 
happy bride 

Kow seeks to be released from him who was her former 
pride. 

Her children and her numerous friends, deposing, inter- 
cede — 

That she no longer would be safe — they all as one agreed. 

What were the reasons, do you ask ? These were, in 

fine, the sum — 
Keglect, abuse, and poverty, all caused by using rum. 
'Eum and ruin ' are allied, and will forever be; 
Yet, there are men who peddle grog when these results 

they see. 



164 cotton's sketch-book. 

Their hearts are steeled and steeped in sin, they care not 

for the ruin ; 
They spread 'broad-cast ' throughout the land, nor for 

the soul 's undoing, — 
Monsters they are in human shape, who will just for the 

dimes, 
Prepare and instigate their friends for tragedy and crimes. 
I 'd sooner beg my daily bread, be clad in filthy rags, 
Than roll in wealth thus illy gained, admired by fools or 

wags. 
O rum, what ruin thou hast wrought, how fearful is thy 

reign; 
And nought can check thy mad career, nought but the 

law of Maine. 
The waste of morals, time and means, and of domestic 

peace. 
Since jDrohibition was annulled has been on the increase. 
When will the people all declare such shall no longer be ? 
Time will determine that my friends, and you must wait 

with me; 
And put your shouldder to the wheel and speak and 

write and vote. 
And soon you '11 see the temperance ship well manned 

and all afloat. 
Roll on reform — thy mighty car shall triumph in the end; 
The peace and safety of the State on these events de- 
pend. 
O parents rally while yon imiy, and save your daughters 

dear, 
From woes that are unutterable, and from the scalding 

tear: 
And save your sons from infamy, yourselves from sad 

despair. 
And God in mercy interpose, is now my daily prayer.* 



cotton's sketch-book. 165 

"What languague shall I use, what metaphors employ, 
To paint rum's waste and havoc, of morals, means and 

joy? 

The naked skulls and skeletons, of all by liquor slain, 

"Would form a pyramid that would pierce the clouds that 
send us rain. 

Could all the tears just caused by rum, unite from shore 
to shore, 

They' d form a cataract more grand than Niagara's 
mighty roar; 

And sighs commingled all in one would silence deep- 
toned thunder: (per/i«ps) 

And that these things so long have been (allowed) is to 
my soul a wonder. 

Crape every planet, every star, blow out the burning sun, 
Hang all the heavens in sack-cloth too, and you have 

scarce begun 
To paint the desolation, the mourning and the woe. 
That from the liquor business has, and will forever flow. 

This is no fancy sketch, dear friends, but demonstrative 

truth, 
intended to arrest the mind and save the precious youth. 
Ye rulers and ye judges too, why stand ye here all idle ? 
Up, up, and chain the monster, curb him with bit and 

bridle. 
Say unto him: 'thus far thou mayest, but farther canst 

not go, ' 
King alcohol, thou mighty nag, hold up — whoa ! whoa I I 

whoa ! ! ! 
Thus shall ye 'serve your day and age, ' and all by rum 

made wretched; 
And millions yet unborn, with them shall call you blessed 



166 cotton's sketch-book. 



THE DEAMSELLEE'S LOOKING GLASS. 

A TEMPERANCE DITTY. 

Air—' Old Dan Tucker. ' 

Of all pursuits that have ever been, 
Eetailing grog, is the meanest thing; 

'T has caused more misery, pain and woe, 
Than ever from one source did flow. 
Chorus : 

'Git out of the way ' all you Dramsellers, 
You 've ruined 'lots of clever fellows. ' 

You 've severed in twain husband and wife, 
Made happy homes all gall and strife; 

For rowdy, drunken sprees at night. 
Put wife and children all to flight. 
Chorus. 

Tou 've taken the shoes from poor women 's feet, ' 
And the bread their children had need to eat; 

You 've robbed them of their scanty clothes, 
And left them crying, and half froze. 
Chorus. 

You 've made sweet children beg and sigh, 
Wrung bitter tears from their mother's eye, 

As oft she heard them cry for bread, 
As hungry, they were sent to bed. 
Chorus. 



167 

You 've turned kind husbands into knaves, 
Made loving wives, most abject slaves; 

You scatter crime, and want and woe, 
'Broad-cast ' and thick, where e'er you go. 
Chorus. 

You 're guilty of all kinds of sin. 

The meanest that has ever been; 
You 've robbed the rich, and you 've robbed 
the poor, 
And drove the needy from your door. 
Chorus. 

You ' ve robbed the strong of his strength. 

Then laid him down in the mud, full 

length; 

And you 've left him there, to grunt and roll, 

Like 'a filthy hog ' in an old mud hole. 

Chorus. 

Now he that peddles grog, through the land, 
Should on his forehead wear this brand 

*I 'm a dread Maelstrom, in life's rough sea, ' 
As 'a deadly asp ' let all shun me. 
Chorus. 

The grog that makes men spew and reel. 
Prompts to murder, rob and steal ; 

To grieve their friends, they seldom fail, 
And their career oft ends in jail. 
Chorus. 

There 's better work for you to do, 
Than 'peddle grog ' which all must rue; 

It covers one 's friend all o 'er with shame, 
Empties his purse, and blasts his fame. 



168 cotton's sketch-book. 

Come sign the pledge, all you dram-sellers, 
And ruin no more of 'the clever fellows. ' 

From pole to pole, the news shall spread, 
That children nowhere cry for bread; 
"When dram-sellers throughout the land, 
Ko longer in our way shall stand. 
Come sign the pledge, all you dram-sellers, 
And ruin no more of 'the clever fellows, ' 
Come, sign the pledge, like 'clever fellows, ' 
And help reclaim all poor dram-sellers. 

This ditty was originated by Dr. Garretson, of 
Dearborn Co. Indiana. Corrected, enlarged, and 
improved. 

I now propose to close this chapter, with one of 
the very flattering, pubUc compliments, that have been 
accorded to me, specially as a temperance orator. 
I quote from a Western Journal, of the 'long, long 
ago. ' Then, I was in my prime of life, voice full, 
clear and musical; and I was w'ell posted, and full of 
heart and hope, and in good health. Now, I am a 
frail, feeble old man, the merest shadow of my for- 
mer self, and out of speaking gear, altogether. But 
to have won such high sounding praise in my palm- 
iest days, is pleasurable to contemplate at life's 
closing scene. My little readers, it pays well. Will 
you try It? But here it is, for you, and may it do 
you all good, as it doth the upright in heart. 



cotton's sketch-book. 169 

COMPLIMENTARY NOTICES. 

'Mr. Editor: — I see that my friend, Judge Cot- 
ton, is on the track for the office of Recorder, at the 
next election, and with characteristic magnanimity he 
assures us, that 'he has not taken the field to oppose 
any one, ' and only asks, in turn, that none take the 
field to oppose him. This is generous, this is rea- 
sonable ! 

'Now, Mr. Editor, I am in for the Judge, decidedly ; 
and, sir, if the idea of any man having claims upon 
the public for office, is not altogether inadmissible, 
I claim that Judge Cotton's claims to the office in 
question, are paramount to those of any other man 
in the country ; and I am satisfied that facts will 
fully corroborate the assumption. Judge Cotton has 
been a resident of Dearborn county, I presume, 
some thirty-five years. Nearly the whole of the 
active, valuable portion of his life has been devoted 
to the interests of the county and State, and I may 
say, of the world ; for the Judge's philanthropy par- 
takes not of the selfish, or centripetal element, ex- 
clusively, but is essentialy diffusive in its character — 
a most harmonious combination of the centripetal and 
centrifugal forces. His energies have not been ex- 
erted in the accumulation of wealth, or for his own 
aggrandizement, but for the benefit of mankind. In 
the several capacities of teacher, minister, judicial 
8 



170 cotton's sketch-book. 

officer, and temperance lecturer, he has served his 
generation well and faithfully ; and I venture to af- 
firm, that in the prosecution of these various avoca- 
tions he has spent more time, ma4e greater sacrifices 
of personal ease and comfort, and surmounted more 
difficulties, than any other man in Dearborn county 
has done for such objects. And by far the greater 
portion of this labor has been performed without any 
hope of remuneration, except such as is a legitimate 
sequence of a life devoted to the cause of truth and 
humanity. And now, to sum up the whole matter, 
I must insist, that of all men in the county. Judge 
Cotton ought to be elected our next Recorder. His 
past valuable and unrequited labors demand it ; pe- 
cuniarily he needs it ; and surely a grateful and ap- 
preciating public will award it. So mote it be. ' 

'The meeting then adjourned, giving three cheers 
for Judge Cotton. We have been in agony about 
this matter, but the agony is over. Judge Cotton 
will sweep all before him, wherever he goes, like a 
mighty torrent. We say to our friends abroad. 
Judge Cotton is the man, without any more delay. 
No time is to be lost. We can elect him if there are 
a dozen candidates in the field. 

In conclusion, we would say to the voters of Dear- 
born, 'go to work at once, and in earnest. Let the 
watchword be, JUDGE COTTON, VIRTUE and 
VICTORY : ! : 



cotton's sketch-book. 171 

'If the whigs, on a proper consideration of the 
matter, conclude to cast their votes for an indepen- 
dent democrat; I know of no one more capable, 
honest and available, than Judge A. J. Cotton, 
of Manchester. The high standing of the Judge as 
an honest man, good neighbor, and christian, points 
him out as the man for that high office. ' 

'The Judge was then called out to address the 
meeting. He begged to be excused, as there were 
a plenty of good speakers present, and as he had al- 
ready, perhaps, addressed the audience a hundred 
times upon the subject, and that it would be peculi- 
arly embarrassing at this time to impose himself up- 
on the audience, many of whom had come from afar 
to hear another gentleman of known ability, of pleas- 
ing, graceful manners, and rich and flowing eloquence. 
But it was no' go. Cotton! Cotton ! ! COTTON ! ! ! 
was echoed through the hall most enthusiastically. 
There being no 'let up ' the Judge responded to the 
call in one of his most amusing and happy strains, 
for some forty minutes. The vast assemblage was 
often perfectly convulsed with laughter ; and anon 
they were as still as death. 

'His temperance picture, which is purely original, 
was finely sketched, and told well upon the cause. 
'It was rich as cream. ' 

' Judge Cotton's Poems. — We have once or 
twice announced the intention of Judge Cotton to 



172 cotton's sketch-book. 

collect the most, if not all of his numerous fugitive 
pieces which have enlivened the cohimns of news- 
papers for twenty-five or thirty years. He is getting 
old, yet he writes poetry with the beauty and ele- 
gance of earlier years. His style is his own, and 
some of his ealier productions found their way into 
the first magazines in the country. We learn that 
a thousand copies of his book are already subscribed 
for. Vf e hope to hear of their early publication. ' 

*The Ruling Passion Strong in Death. — By 
the last mail we received a letter and a few verses 
of poetry from our old friend, Judge Alfred J. Cot- 
ton, of Dearborn Co. , which will be found in an- 
other column. 

'The Judge is certainly a rare genius — possessing 
greater versatility of character than is often met with 
in one man. He is a farmer, in a small way — a 
preacher of the Gospel, a school teacher — a univer- 
sal poet, for many years associate judge, under the 
old regime, afterward probate judge, a patriot who 
loves his country, a universal favorite at wedding 
parties, in which he had a great run, and where he 
officiated with entire satisfaction to the young folks, 
more especially as he always accompanied the mar- 
riage notice with an appropriate verse or two of his 
own composing. 

'He always had a great passion for scribbling poe- 
try, and we remember that, 'once upon a time, ' he 



cotton's sketch-book. 173 

wrote a sonnet that would have done credit to Tom 
Hood, all about a lock of Gen. Jackson 's hair, which 
the old general had enclosed to him in a letter from 
the Hermitage. 

'The last time we had the pleasure of meeting him 
was at the people 's convention at Indianapolis, on 
the loth of July last. We saw then that he was 
rapidly passing down the vale of life, and that his 
'work was about done. ' May his end be peaceful 
and happy.' 

These flattering and honorable notices which have 
been widely circulated through the periodicals of the 
day, and, to which I might add many more of the 
same sort, is to me rich reward for a lifetime devo- 
ted to the well-being of the community, in the midst 
of which my pleasant lot has been cast. 



17 cotton's sketch-book. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



REMOVAL TO ILLINOIS. 



I had intended to conclude my Indiana history, 
with another chapter, which I had carefully prepared ; 
but necessity compels me to omit it, altogether ; as 
it does a few other chapters. Consequently, I leave 
old Dearborn, rather abruptly, and hereby invite my 
readers young and old, male and female, to accom- 
pany me to my new and beautiful home in Illinois ; for 
after having 'served my day and generation ' as best 
I could in Indiana, for 48 long, eventful years, for 
good reasons, I sold my pretty cottage home, and 
removed to Crawford Co., 111., to spend the evening 
of my days with my married son ; my only surviv- 
ing child. My full history here would alone fill a 
large book. I announced an appointment for my 
farewell sermon. I had a very full and even crowded 
house. The Lord stood by me, and we had a very 
fond and friendly parting. On motion of my worthy 
friend, Rev. Dr. S. Flood, a supprise collection was 
taken up for my benefit. The Dr. urging all to con- 
tribute freely and cheerfully ; since the citizens of 
Dearborn were justly indebted to me, not one single 



cotton's sketch-book. 175 

cent less than |10, 000.00. For all his days he has 
'gone about doing good among them. ' Sixty dollars 
were raised just on the spur of the moment; show- 
ing, that I still lived in the hearts of the people, and 
that all my old friends were not taken prisoners of 
war, or slain upon the battle fields of the then late 
and bloody rebellion. With a sad heart, I tore my- 
self away from friends and home, and in due time 
arrived at my new destination. The next day, Rev. 
Dr. P. Hale, a total stranger to me, called to greet 
me welcome to my new home, and to invite me to 
accompany him in his carriage to our quarterly 
meeting, to-morrow. Being very feeble and much 
fatigued, I promptly declined ; said he, Rev. old 
Father Dollehan and Rev. Brother Richee, who heard 
you preach when you were out here to your son 's 
a few years ago, sent me after you, and told me to 
be sure and take you along, and I don 't like to go 
without you. My sainted, good lady prevailed upon 
me to go, saying, the Lord may have something for 
you to do. Well of course I went ; found the con- 
ference in session ; when these good brethren hast- 
ened to greet me welcome, and brought down Dr. 
Hawley, the presiding Elder, who said, I am. right 
glad to see you, and wish you to preach to-morro,w, 
at 11 o 'clock. Thanking him kindly, I stated that 
I was utterly too feeble to preach, and if I were not, 
I certainly could not consent to occupy his hour on 



176 cotton's sketch-book. 

the Sabbath. Well, said he, the brethren all say you 
must preach ; and if not to-morrow, do so this evening. 
We shall have a full house, and I will help you out 
the best I can, for I see you are in very poor health. 
Now then what could I do, but to make the effort. 
And if I ever felt that 'when I am weak, then am I 
strong, ' it was on this occasion. The elder en- 
dorsed me fully and flatteringly, and all blessed me 
most heartily welcome. And thus the Lord gave to 
me an open introduction to this very kind and strange 
people, my new neighbors. 

At our next quarterly meeting, the elder would 
take no denial ; preach I must, and preach I did, on 
Sabbath, and 'swung clear ' again, as we preachers 
say. The elder again fully endorsed me, in one of 
his happiest hits, and then called upon all the church 
to join in a united prayer for my restoration to health, 
for the edification and comfort of the church — Rev. 
Dr. Hale leading in prayer. And O ! what a prayer. 
And how fervently and eloquently did he pray that 
I might be spared to the church and the Avorld, for 
many years to come. And O, how many and how 
hearty were the Aniens. And there upon my knees, 
I felt that prayer had prevailed with God in my be- 
half. And there and then, a thrill of unusual power 
perfectly electrified me throughout ; aud I felt that I 
was saved. On my return home, I said to Mrs. 
Cotton, my dear, I shall not die yet ; but live on a 



177 

while longer, in answer to prayer. That was about 
ten years ago, and all my friends here, say, that or- 
dinarily I am good for at least a dozen years more. 
So much then for praying faith. What saith it ? 
If two 'or more ' of you shall agree touching any- 
thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them, 
of my Father, which is heaven. O, for more of liv- 
ing,- prevailing faith ! which laughs at impossibilities, 
and cries, it shall be done. Is not this a wonderful 
interposition of providence ? and should I not record 
it to the praise of_ his grace, who says, ask and it 
shall be given to you ? Subseqently, I attended camp 
meeting, at the instance of that same good old 
father Dollehan, who kindly invited me to take a 
seat in his carriage. On my arrival, the elder ex- 
pressed great delight at seeing me, conducted me to 
good quarters, and would have insisted on my preach- 
ing to-morrow (Sabbath), at 11 o 'clock, had not the 
programme assigned to him a special subject for that 
hour ; but he would waive the morning love feast, and 
have me occupy that hour. And he who said, 'lo I 
am with you alway ' stood by me of a blessed truth ; 
and we had a most precious season, specially and 
generally, at the stand and tents. When the Elder's 
hour arrived, it threatened heavy rain immediately ; 
and the people began to scatter rapidly, when I in- 
cidentally said, 'I d(m 't tliink it will rain here. ' 
8* 



178 

Whereupon the Elder proclaimed aloud, Judge says 
he don 't think it will rain here ; join in faith with 
brother Cotton, keep your seats, and see what the 
Lord will do for us. All settled back into their seats 
'and as sure as the Lord liveth ' we had not a single 
drop of rain on any part of the encampment, although 
there was a heavy shower not 80 rods distant. This 
wonderful incident gave me great grace in the eyes 
of all this strange multitude. And thus most gra- 
ciously and providentially, did the Lord open the 
way before me for good among this strange people. 
And I was looked upon from that day out, as some- 
thing a little extra in my line. And it will not take 
you long to believe that fully. Immediately after 
breakfast Monday morning, fiither Dollehan hitched 
up for home ; and as we were very busy in shaking 
hands and pronouncing our 'good byes ' Elder Haw- 
ley tripped up behind me, and tapping me gently on 
the shoulder said. Judge, I cannot let you go, with- 
out one more of your sermons. O, no, said I, we are 
all ready to start, and must be off immediately. I 
can 't help that said he, the ministers have just held 
a consultation, and charged me not to let you leave 
until you had preached once more ; adding very 
pleasantly, I am the presiding elder, you know, and it 
is your duty to ob^y. I knew that I had made my 
mark, and a second effort w^ould be to preach against 
•myself; and how I did beg to be excused. Right 



cotton's sketch-book. 179 

then and there, what should Father Dollehan do, but 
say, Judge, I want to hear you again as much as any 
of them do, and don 't mean to start, until you treat 
us to one more of your good sermons. And when I 
saw that there was no 'let up ' I said, 'Lord help, ' 
and went upon the stand in the midst of a good love 
feast season, during singing and prayers ; and O ! 
how the good Elder did pray for me. A text oc- 
curred to my mind, which proved to be a most felic- 
itous one, and I had no sooner begun to open my 
mouth than the Lord began to fill it with 'words that 
breathe, and thoughts that burn. ' And if ever a 
minister had his full armor on, I had mine on, of a 
blessed truth. Praise the Lord. Brother Encrlisli 
our very able and acceptable circuit preacher, fol- 
lowed me with a very strong exhortation in which he 
said, 'when I heard the Judge yesterday, I thought 
that must surely be his very best sermon ; but he has 
totally eclipsed himself, on this occasion. ' And the 
Elder in his camp meeting report to our church 
journals, said, 'Rev. Judge Cotton, a local elder, who 
has recently settled among us, added much to the 
interest of the meeting, by treating us to two of his 
most novel, truth-telling and inspiring sermons. ' 
Was not that a very high compliment, boys , from 
a very high source ? How deservedly, those can 
best say, who were present on this most happy and 
delightful occasion. Shortly after, I preached atRob- 



180 

in son, my own county seat. The editor of the Argus, 
was present, and in an editorial, in his next issue 
said this: 

Rev. Judge Cotton on last Sabbath, treated our 
people to one of his Svide awake ' and very spicy ser- 
mons. The church was full to a perfect jam ; and 
the Judge held them in profound silence, and with 
thrilling interest and delight, for just one full hour. 
It was indeed a rare treat to all present. The Judge 
always commands large and attentive audiences, be- 
cause he always has something new and novel to say, 
and knows just when and how to say it. All hope 
that he will visit us again soon, and then quite often. 
, Editor. 

That is quite glory enough ; and I quit right here. 
Now perhaps, in borrowed phrase, I might just as 
well say here, as anywhere, that 'from a very hum- 
ble and obscure beginning (as I have elsewhere sta- 
ted), the little celebrity I have won as a minister, 
has been won by dint of hard study, close and ^con- 
tinuous application, close observation, and close com- 
munion with God ,: having almost exclusively conse- 
crated myself and my all, to the ministry in 'the 
morning of my days. ' Starting out in my 'minis- 
terial career ' at an early and tender age, with such 
qualifications only as were common to all, an educa- 
tion which had little more than just fiiirly commenced 



cotton's sketch-book. . 181 

under the disheartening pressure of many disadvan- 
tages ; but eventually turned to some Kttle ac- 
count, by unremitted devotion to elementary books 
and private study in leisure hours, rainy days and 
long evenings. 

But with a heart and a will to go forward in the 
work and mission I had assumed, I felt from the very 
first, and at every single step forward in my official 
duties, that something beyond the ordinary food and 
exercises of the mind, was absolutely necessary to pre- 
pare me for my 'pulpit duties ' and resppusibilities ; 
that determined personal energy and application of 
efforts were absolutely and indispensably necessary 
for my success either to usefulness or 'honest fame ' 
as a minister of the Gospel of Christ. And relying 
upon Divine aid, I did so apply myself, as all well 
know who are intimately acquainted with me. And 
without guide or model, with no books at first, except 
my Bible, my hymn book and my discipline. In the 
wilds of the West, surrounded by howling beasts of 
prey, I projected and explored my pathway, aping 
no man ; but from the beginning to the end, I have 
been my own peculiar, original self in the pulpit, as 
in all the other duties and affairs of life. Yielding to 
the inexplicable yearnings of my heart, to be both 
good and useful, I have appropriated all within my 
reach for my own special aid and benefit, and ad- 
vancement in my ministerial career — reading, writ- 



182 • cotton's sketch-book. 

ino;, reflection, observation, experience, meditation 
and prayer, and all the energies of mind and body 
nave been invoked and applied to for light and guid- 
ance in 'my high calling of God, in Christ Jesus. ' 

The midnight lamp, or 'hickory torch-light ' has 
often found me at my books and my prayers. 
Thought demanded materials, and ends exacted 
means. And without constant effort for mental 
growth and enlargement, all chance or hope of suc- 
cess was forever foreclosed. Such then were the 
circumstances of trial, of ignorance and want, under 
which I commenced my ministerial career. And 
although I have much to regret that my sermons 
have not been more spiritual, more eloquent and 
successful generally, yet I greatly rejoice that they 
have in some sense, and to a limited degree, been 
serviceable and acceptable to the church and to tlie 
world, and that I have never knowingly trifled with 
myself, or my high and holy mission, by 'handling 
the word of God deceitfully, ' nor by attempting to 
turn it to worldly advantage or preferments, by per- 
vertino; the tastes or tickling; the ears of others. 

Nay, I have rather sacrificed all my worldly hopes 
and aspirations, that I might make full proof of my 
ministry, and 'finish my course with joy. ' I have 
not 'lied to the Holy Ghost' for worldly gains, or to 
please any man,4)r set of men for any personal ef- 
fect whatever. And I am not conscious of any am- 



cotton's sketch-book. 183 

bitlon or aspiration, unworthy 'the high and holy 
mission ' of an ambassador of Christ. And as ineffi- 
cient as my ministrations have been, they uniformly 
have been my very best efforts under all the cir- 
cumstances. And I have often, quite often, been 
exceedingly joyful and happy, in their performances. 
In 'breaking tlie bread of life ' to others, my own 
soul has feasted on the rich and heavenly repast ; 
and the remembrance of those precious seasons, is 
sweet to my soul. 

So much then in brief, of my ministerial career, 
which is in all human probability, about being wound 
up, and closed forever. And I am quite happy and 
cheered with the hope that I shall be enabled to 'ren- 
der up my account with joy, and not with grief. ' 
.Yes, that I do, through mercy rich and full and free. 

To God be all the praise, hence evermore. Hal- 
lelujah, Amen. 



184 



CHAPTER XVIL 

CONCLUSION. 

I now discover that I cannot possibly crowd all 
of my carefully prepared matter into my little book ; 
and so I have concluded to quit square off right here, 
and close up the entire matter for the present ; and 
reserve all the balance for another pretty, little book 
'of the same sort ' soon as convenient, should my 
present work prove to be a profitable and acceptable 
offering ; otherwise, I have written quite too much 
already. 

When the Saviour had about finished his great 
mission and ministry upon the earth. He said. Father 
'I have glorified thee on the earth ; I have finished 
the work which thou gavest me to do. ' And now 
in all humility, may I not assume that these signifi- 
cant words 'in a qualified sense ' will not inaptly 
apply to myself, and history ? For have I not too, 
'glorified God on the earth ' by an early and almost 
entire consecration of myself, and my all to his cause 
and service 'in the kingdom and patience of Christ ? ' 
And now that I am well stricken in years, and my 
pretty book about ready for distribution, and the ma- 



185 

terials for the closing volume all well nigh prepared, 
with what propriety niay I now also say, 'I have 
finished the work thou gavest me to do. ' Alas ! how 
imperfectly ; but it is finished, and so it must remain 
forever. And after all my watchfulness and prayer- 
fulness, I have written many lines which, dying, I 
fain would blast from the record, though I think in 
all truthful soberness, I can say, notwithstanding my 
foibles, my errors and my faults, there has never 
been in me 'an evil heart of unbelief, in departing 
from the living God, ' since the day of 'my happy 
espousal of Christ and his cross. ' Well, to be sure, 
Svhat a mighty work did God assign to me ! ' Let 
me pause and think a little — my sermons, orations, 
Sabbath School and temperance addresses, are not 
told by hundreds only, but by thousands ; yes, by 
thousands. Then I have published one large, mis- 
cellaneous work, called Cotton 's Keepsake, which 
had a fine run in its day. And now, my sketch- 
book, &c., and I have on file, in manuscript, a his- 
tory of slavery, from the day of its birth, to the day 
of its death. And O ! what a history. Then I have 
'The Heavenly Mariner, ' an allegory, it would seem 
cannot possibly fail to serve and please. And sever- 
al other .good works, surely. But whether tliey ever 
go to press or not, time alone will determine. But 
at any rate, this announcement will tend to show- 
that mine has been a very active, busy life. And 



186 cotton's sketch-book. 

then my writings for the Press, and my private cor- 
respondence, have been perfectly overwhehning. 
Meantime, I have been quite an extensive home 
traveler, have been more or less, in 24 of the States, 
off into the Canadas, and out upon 'the illimitable 
sea, ' and 'faraway. ' Have seen all the great sights 
nearly in the country. William and Mary's college, 
in old Virginia, the Washington monument, in Mary- 
land, the Rock monument, in Canada, ground out a 
poem on the summit of Bunker Hill monument, 
'which see,' preached on the lofty height of Mount 
Abraham, 'see poem, ' twice visited the White moun- 
tains, ground out a poem at the Niagara Falls, 'which 
see,' passed over the Lacine Falls in the St. Lawrence, 
near Montreal (a thrilling scene), have seen the 
Lewiston Falls, the Genesee Falls, the Falls of the 
Ohio river, the Robber's Den (rather a scary place), 
the Jackson monument, on the plains of secession, 
passed out to lake Ponchartrain, and over the bat- 
tle field of New Orleans, and down to Fort Proctor, 
on the Gulf of Mexico. Now indeed, for a poor ob- 
scure little boy, have I not seen sights, and per- 
formed wonders worthy of publication to the world ? 
And then, too, I have worked my way up to an 
elder-ship, a judge-ship, a United States marshal-ship, 
an editor-ship, an attorney-ship, and an author-ship. 
And those who shall read my little book, can see 
ust how these great things have been accomplished. 



187 

And that is the main object I have in view, in sending 
abroad my life's humble and eventful history. And 
whether I make or lose, by the operation, the church 
and country will get the full benefit of my life and 
history. Now I can 't believe that God in his prov- 
idence gave me such a history to be lost. And hence 
I have written it down in a book, and leave the 
event with God and my friends, and abide the issue 
in 'good hope. ' Now if I am providentially serving 
God in this matter, he will open the hearts of the 
people, and they in turn will open their purses cheap- 
ly and liberally, to sustain me in it. And if other- 
wise, what am I, better than other men ? History 
shows that many of the world 's greatest benefactors, 
have died in alms-houses, while some have 'begged 
their daily bread, through lands their valor won. ' 

And now, just a word or two about my new and 
happy home, and I am done for the present. When 
I look back to my humble beginning in life, think 
how much good I have tried to accomplish, how 
many and great have been my $500.00 donations to 
Moore's Hill college, and my gratuitous services, and 
then think what a pretty, neat, little cottage home, 
with such very romantic and beautiful surroundings, 
and such a superior wife to take care of it, and me, 
too, I say in my heart most gratefully, surely I have 
not served God, his church, or my country, in vain ; 
surely not. But look out for something rich, on this 



188 cotton's sketch-book. 

score in my next fortlicoming book, which I think 
must, and will be more interesting than this one, the 
very cream of the whole story. I hardly expect to 
live to execute it. If not, my good lady will. In- 
deed, she made the arrangement, furnished the means, 
and is the real publisher of this ; a real smart, capable, 
business lady. And I hopefully commit her to God, 
and my friends. Sketches in her very pious and 
eventful history, as an instructress, a seamstress, 
principal nurse of the Chelsea hospital, matron of 
the Bridgewater almshouse, Mass., and a missionary 
teacher to the freedmen of the South, and the very 
flattering notices accorded to her, in the journals of the 
day, are all held in reserve for my Ild volume. My 
golden wedding poem and Christian song of deliver- 
ance, set to music, will for the present be distribu- 
ted in ballad form, as heretofore ; but will together 
with a most telling and beautiful poem in relation 
thereto, by the venerable G. W. Chapman (the 
prince of Acrostic writers), as also my war poems, 
including a eulogy and lament upon the life and as- 
sassination of the greatly beloved and deeply lamented 
^Abraham Lincoln, the crowning subject, and the 
masterly eifort of my humble muse, must go over. 
And of course every body will want a copy of my 
Ild volume ; but must wait patiently for it. In which 
due mention will be made of my 70th birth-day 
present of the splendid watch I sport as a donation 



cotton's sketch-book. 189 

from the citizens of old Dearborn, as well as tlie mag- 
nificent public dinners served up for the occasion by 
my cherished pupils and life-abiding friends, Ralph 
Collier, corresponding editor of the Press, and his 
most amiable and interesting better half, Mrs. May 
Collier. And other grateful tributes to my old 
frends of Dearborn and Crawford Counties, must live 
in my heart until I can transcribe them into my 
forthcoming interesting, pretty little book. Surely 
my humble life has not been a failure, but 'a glori- 
ous success. ' 

And now. Lord, having written finis to my little 
book, what await I, for my hope is in thee. 

Let me go — my soul is weary of the chain, that binds it 

here ; 
Let my spirit bend her pinions to a hoher, Jjrighter 

sphere. 
Earth, 'tis true, has friends to bless me with their fond 

and faithful love; 
But the hands of Angels beckon me on to brighter worlds 

above. 

Let me go — my heart has tasted of my Saviour's won- 
drous grace ; 

Let me go where I shall ever know, and see him face to 
face. 

Let me go — the trees of heaven, rise before me waving 
bright; 

And the distant, crystal waters flash upon my ravished 
sight. 



190 

Let me go — for songs seraphic, now seem chanting 
from the sky; 

'Tis the welcome of the angels, which e'en now are hov- 
ering nigh. 

Let me go — they wait to bear me to the mansions of 
the blest; 

Where the spirit worn and weary, finds at last its long 
sought rest. 

Even so, 'Come Lord Jesus, and come quickly ;' 
*Happy if with my latest breath, I may but gasp his 

name. 
Preach him to all, and cry in death, behold ! behold the 
Lamb. ' 



cotton's sketch-book. 191 



BENEDICTIOK. 

And now 'a kind and parting word ' to the little girls and 

boys, 
'Seek God in early life, ' my dears, for pure substantial 

joys; 

Young men and women, soon you '11 be, and fill our va- 
cant places, 

I trust with pure and honest hearts, and smiling, happy 
faces. 

And serve your day and age, as we have done before, 

My warmest blessings to you all, and I can say no more; 

May heaven's kind, protecting arms forever 'round you 
dwell. 

And now my little dear, young friends, receive my fond 
farewell. 

The Author. 



192 



I shall not index this volume of my work, for good 
and conclusive reasons. The reader can pencil 
mark, and index those items deemed worthy, as he 
goes along. 



Persons desiring a copy of my book, can obtain 
one, by calling on the publishers, B. Thurston & Co., 
No. Ill Exchange St., Portland, Me., or by enclos- 
ing to them $1.10 will receive the ^book by return 
mail, post-paid. 



cotton's sketch-book. 19S 



SUPPLEMENTAL. 

A CARD. 

My friends, please read this little card, and I will 
not inflict a speech upon you. Here it is, in my 
new, pretty book, which I now place in your hands 
for inspection, and intend to make you a present of 
it, as 'A Keepsake ' with one single condition, which 
this card will fully explain. You will discover at 
sight, that my publishers, B. Thurston & Co., have 
executed my work, in a very neat and workman- 
like manner, a clear, full type, for the accommoda- 
tion of the old folks, and that, too, upon excellent 
paper. And also, that Small & Shackford, binders, 
have performed their part most handsomely, too. 
And it affords me pleasure to say, that all these gen- 
tlemen, the proof-readers, included, are exceedingly 
pleasant and agreeable gentlemen to deal with. 

Having no ministerial field of labor to occu- 
py, I propose to travel about a little, preach and 
lecture, as I go, and to dispose of as many of my lit- 
tle books as I well can, while passing around from 
place to place. My good lady will aid me in their 
distribution. But let no one do me the injustice to 
9 



194 cottok's sketch-book. 

say, Judge Cotton has turned out to be 'a book ped- 
lar, ' at last. If however, ' a good book is the best 
household treasure, ' there can be nothing disrepu- 
table in peddling them. But as I am rather an odd, 
orio^inal genius, I tell the same story altogether in a 
different manner. I say, that 'I am passing around 
to hunt up my available and reliable friends, to make 
them a present of it, as a Keepsake, in remembrance 
of me. And on the frontispiece page, is a blank, 

v^hich reads thus, 'A Keepsake, presented to . 

By the author.' Fill the blank with your own name, 
or let me fill it, for you, and that will make it all 
rio"ht. But lest I should be imposed upon, I ask my 
friends to pass over to me just $1. 00 in token of 
their genuine friendship ; then I place their names 
upon my list of friends, in a little book, which I take 
aloncr with me for that special purpose, and forth- 
with make them a present of one of my pretty, little 
books, in token of my love and gratitude, to them. 
A fair exchange is even, up and all the way round. 
If vou wish to procure one of my books, on these 
terms, say so at once and cheerfully ; if not, say so, 
frankly, without the least embarrassment, and with 
the kindest and best of wishes, I will bid you a pleas- 
ant good-bye, and depart in peace. And thus you 
see a story can be told just as well one way, as an- 
other, if you only have ingenuity to know how to do 
it. And I cannot dispose of a single book on any 



195 

other terms, not one. And now, if you admire my 
fifty years in the West, my snake, wolf, bear and 
panther stories, as I trust and hope you will, please 
take a copy under your arm, and step right over to 
your neighbors, at your earliest, convenient season, 
and say to them, 'have you seen Judge Cotton 's 
pretty book ? You ought by all means to procure a 
copy of it, the best book for a family, in the market. 
You might jast as well look for a needle in a hay 
stack, as to try to hunt up a nicer and better little 
book. ' Tliat is very well said, and I am much 
obliged, for it is indeed 'sharp as a needle, ' but rather 
an old story. Try and 'scare up ' some illustration 
novel and new, like the book ; something startling ; 
something to be felt, and easily remembered. But 
don 't put it on too thick, overdo the thing, and thus 
spoil it. 'Let your moderation be known to all men. ' 
Something like the following, will answer all purpo- 
ses. Try to find abetter book, eh ! you might just 
as well undertake to throw back the waters of a 
mighty cataract, with a pitch-fork ; climb to heaven 
on a honey-locust, feet foremost ; dam up the Missis- 
sippi with a thimble full of sand ; empty the ocean 
with a teaspoon ; capsize the Andes, or the Rocky 
mountains, with a knitting needle, or raise a mighty 
tornado with a fanning mill. (Stop a minute and take 
breath.) Yes, you might just as well undertake to 
scale up the Falls of the Niagara in a potash kettle, 



196 cotton's sketch-book. 

with a crow-bar, quench the fires of -^tna with a 
single dew-drop, or blow out the sun with a hand- 
bellows — as to look for a nicer, or more interesting 
book, for yourself and jour sons (family included), 
than the Judge 's new and pretty book. And that, 
as the lawyers would say, is making out a pretty 
strong case. Nevertheless, for the spice of the thing, 
you might venture to go one little round more. 
Yes, indeed, j'on might just as well undertake to 
'jump Jim Crow ' in a tar-bucket, or gather up a 
bushel of fleas, turned loose in a stubble patch ; and 
if that don 't do you, just give it up, and welcome. 

Seriously, if you think my little book worthy of 
patronage, speak a good word for it, and that will 
help the thing along. I do not expect you to like 
everything in it. It was not written for one only, 
but for many. I intended to write such a book as the 
world never saw. And all my readers, I think, will 
say, that I have done it quite handsomely. Finally, 
don't do me the injustice to say, that it is a fulsome, 
disgusting, egotistical work, because I say so much 
about myself and the favorable and even flattering 
notices, accorded to me ; for what, indeed, w^ould my 
book be worth minus these things. My great object 
has been to show that from great obscurity, I had 
attained an honorable distinction amono; the great 
and the good men of earth. And I do know, that I 
have so written for the encouragement of others, and 



cotton's sketch-book. 197 

for that, purely and solely. I am not a vain man, I put 
on no airs, I cut no swells, and never did, in the palm- 
iest days of my life. I feel that at best, I am a poor, 
frail, erring mortal, and that it is altogether 'by the 
grace of God, that I am what I am. ' And if I am 
ever so happy as to 'gain a mansion in the skies ' as 
I confidently anticipate, and that right soon, too, 
even there I shall be none other than 'a sinner 
saved by grace. ' 

'Tis all my hope, 'tis all my plea, 
For me, the Saviour died for me. ' 

And blessed be his holy name, now and evermore, 
Amen. 



198 



PUBLIC MEETING. 

Having a little space jet unoccupied, I hasten to 
fill it with the following proceeding, because my nu- 
merous friends have so often and so pressingly de- 
sired it. And here it is for them : 

Shortly after my late most extraordinary and novel 
wedding, some of my new neighbor friends convened 
at the school-house, and by general consent adopted 
the following preamble and resolution, to wit : 

Whereas, the late marriage of Rev. Judge Cotton, 
long a citizen of Indiana, and the very amiable Miss 
Jane M. Hamilton, at the bride's own beautiful resi- 
dence, was a most interesting affair, and as we think 
utterly too good to be lost, as furnishing an item of 
interest to the common journals of the county, there- 
fore 

Resolved^ That a full report of the same be fur- 
nished to the Portland City journals for publication, 
and that the journals of Maine and Indiana, at least, 
be requested to copy, &c. And here follows the 

ORCHARD GROVE WEDDING. 

REPORT. 

The late wedding of Rev. Judge Cotton, long a 
citizen of the West, and the amiable Miss Jane Ham- 



cotton's sketch-book. 199 

ilton, at the bride's own beautiful cottage residence, 
Yarmouth Foreside, Me., Sept. 20th, 1871, was a 
most romantic and magnificent affair. 

Five eminent ministers took part in the pleasing 
ceremonies, and more than 500 invited and volunteer 
guests were in attendance on the most pleasing and 
interesting occasion. Two rows of thrifty, bearing 
apple trees, belonging to the beautiful premises, 
were pruned into a perfect and most beautiful arch, 
or avenue, all . richly carpeted with verdant green; 
and under the direction of Capt. Monroe Buckman, 
marshal of the day, the vast multitude formed lines 
opposite to each other, facing inward, down the 
said two rows of pruned trees, closing together at a 
proper distance, thus forming an open, oval circle, 
four or five deep, the shortest in front, presenting 
a perfect amphitheatre of human faces, one above 
another, as 'Alps on Alps arise.' At tlie open end 
of the oblong, half circle, was a low platform, finely 
carpeted, for the reception of the happy bride and 
groom, and their attendants, at the proper time. 
Just in front of the stand, inside of the ring, were 
seated the five officiating clergymen, and in the rear 
of them, sat a beautiful choir of fine and well trained 
singers. All things being put in a state of readiness, 
under the direction of the marshal, the happy pair 
and their attendants were conducted to the stand, 
Hon. Ammi Mitchell and his most amiable and beau- 



200 cotton's sketch-book. 

tiful ladj, being their attendants. A most felicitous 
selection indeed. It could not have been better. 
When the parties made their appearance on the bal- 
cony, the choir, under the leadership of Dr. Burbank, 
an eminent practitioner, and one of the finest choris- 
ters in the State, struck up a beautiful air and ode, 
under the inspiration of which, the parties came 
forward to the stand ; heads uncovered, save that 
the modest temples of the blushing bride, were 
adorned with an evergreen wreath bedecked with 
modest flowers. Both were neatly and approj^riate- 
ly dressed, in a bran-new suit. 'Cap-a-pie.' Not a 
leaf fluttered in the breeze, the sun veihng himself 
in a cloud, much to the comfort and convenience of 
all present. Many of the matrons and maids were 
sporting magnificently, beautiful bouquets, to be pre- 
sented to the Judge at the proper time. What a 
scene for a painter ! Many and bitter are the re- 
grets, that one was not present on the occasion. At 
the close of the ode, the marriage ceremonies were 
formally introduced, by Rev. James S. Rice, of 
North Pownal, who was assisted therein, by his right 
and left hand supporters, thus. Rev. Mr. Sanborn, 
of Falmouth, propounded the ordinary marriage vows 
to the happy, smiling groom, who stood up firmly 
and erect, and in a full, clear voice, responded thus, 
to the very agreeable surprise of all present : 

'Not intending to deny myself the luxury of inno- 



cotton's sketch-book. 201 

cent freedom and famijiarities with my lady friends, 
I answer, that the marriage vows which you. Sir, 
have just propounded to my consideration, I now 
most cheerfully and heartily assume, without any 
mental reservation, whatever. And I now say to 
you, Sir, and to her, who, in the wonderful, special, 
and kind providence of God, is soon, very soon, to be- 
come my lawfully wedded, my beloved wife, and I 
say it, in the presence of God, and all these witnesses, 
that these solemn vows shall at home and abroad, 
by me, be carefully, scrupulously and religiously ob- 
served and kept ; not because I must, but because 
'I will ' most cheerfully.' Which drew forth a few 
hearty Aniens, and a general murmur of approving 
delight from all present. The Rev. Mr. Fairbanks, 
of Cape Elizabeth, now obligated the fair, blushing 
bride, who in turn fairly electrified the entire assem- 
bly, by her quaint answer, in a full, open voice, 
' Sir, reciprocating the vows of my plighted husband, 
I answer, I will.' Beautiful, O, how beautiful ! 

Rev. Mr. Rice, now pronounced the happy pair, 
husband and wife, together, in the name of the 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And right here, in 
a most graceful and dignified manner, the Judge 
saluted his bride, in the presence of all the people, 
much to their seeming pleasure and amusement. 
And it was thought, that the blushing bride recip- 
9* 



202 cotton's sketch-book, 

rocated the compliment, quite as handsomely as she 
did the marriage vows. 

After this little pleasing episode, Rev. Mr. Abbott, 
Congregational minister, at Yarmouth, offered up a 
most appropriate and beautiful prayer, earnest, com- 
prehensive and eloquent ; every way worthy of the 
eminent minister who uttered it, and the very pleas- 
ing and interesting occasion which called it forth. 

Rev. Mr. Hoyt, of 'Chebeague Island,' pronounced 
the benediction, in an easy, graceful and most impos- 
ing manner. Indeed, it would seem that all the offi- 
ciating clergymen vied with each other to do their 
very best, in the premises. And the result through- 
out, was a perfectly finished and polished perform- 
ance. The choir now sung a beautiful anthem, 
which enchained the vast assembly, in rapturous de- 
light. The Dr.'s very amiable and accomplished sis- 
ter. Miss Esther, sung most interestingly ; her clear, 
sweet voice, rang out most distinctly and harmoni- 
ously, to the admiration and praise of all present. 
At the close of this most beautiful performance, the 
presentation of bouquets, personal congratulation, and 
friendly greetings, became the general order of the 
day. And a merry time we had of it, all the way 
round. Well did the City editors say, 'it was a most 
novel and imposing affair. And the occasion was 
made one of a general jolKfication.' When the ex- 
citement had a little abated, the Judo-e made a few 



203 

well-timed and appropriate remarks, thanking all for 
their kind attentions, and their beautiful performance, 
adding, this is one of the sunniest, happiest days of 
my long and eventful life. But think not my friends, 
that in the midst of these general joys and hilarities, 
that I forget or underrate the dear, sainted wife of 
my youth. No, never ; nevertheless, but for these 
chastening and ever to be cherished remembrances, 
I should be almost too happy to live, and for aught I 
know I shall yet expire in a thrill of rapturous bliss. 
Movements now indicated a general dispersion, when 
a lady calling on the judge for one of his pretty puns 
on his own marriage, brought all to perfect order 
again. To that fair call the judge responded thus ; 
' That is a very hard request, my friends ; if there is 
any poetry in Cotton, or any word in the English 
language that perfectly rhymes with it, I do not at 
this moment apprehend them. I have been thinking 
about this matter, and the very best pun that I can 
'grind out ' is something like the following : 

'It takes a pretty name, my friends, to make a rich and 

pretty pun, 
A pun upon my humble name, would only make you 

'lots of fun ; ' 
The groom my worthy bride has gotten, 
Is just 'a lot' of Northern Cotton. 

(Loud laughter.) 
Well hymen, well, now you have done it, 
Else there is no truth in my little sonnet; 



204 cotton's sketch-book. 

And never shall it be forgotten, 
You've changed my lovely bride, all into 'Cotton. ' 
(Prolonged cheering.) 

The next point of attraction, was the dinner table, 
which was tastefully adorned with wreaths and vases 
of sweet blushing flowers, and perfectly teeming with 
the choices viands, done up to order. It was set in 
the dining hall, and would accommodate 30 or 40 to 
one sitting, or rather to one standing. Good old 
Father Groves, the honored Patriarch of Cousin 's 
Island, and his excellent lady, occupied honorary seats 
at the head of the table, a handsome, well-deserved 
compliment. After the first table full had been well 
served, the liappy pair repaired to their spacious and 
beautiful sitting room, followed by their delighted 
guests, who again congratulated them, and made a 
general survey of the beautiful cottage premises, and 
so on, until all had feasted to the full, and were per- 
fectly content. Explanatory of this vast wedding 
party, and these ample provisions for the occasion, it 
might be well to say just here, that the wedding 
would have been a large and magnificent affair, any- 
how, which suggested the beautiful orchard grove, as 
the most suitable place for its celebration. And 
when It became noised abroad, that such was the 
arrangement, outsiders called upon the parties, to see 
if they were willing that the entire community should 
change It from a private, to a picnic wedding, to make 



205 

it a magnificent ovation, or rather, a grand reception 
party, as everybody desired to be present on the 
novel occasion. Certainly not ; the more, the better, 
und* such an arrangement. The report took wing, 
and from City and town, from hill-top and vale, from 
'the Islands of the sea, ' and from all along the shore, 
the people came pouring in by scores, with 'baskets 
and boxes, ' crammed chuck full of goodies for the oc- 
casion, done up in the very best and latest style of 
modern housewifery. 

The Judge being very highly appreciated as a man, 
and as a minister, the bride, being a general favorite 
in the community from her youth up, the number 
and respectability of the bridal relations, together 
with the novelty and romance, are the keys that un- 
lock it all. Certainly, such a magnificent marriage 
was never before celebrated in the State, or hardly 
anywhere else. And the parties enjoyed it hugely, 
you may be well assured. It was purely *a cold 
water party. ' All passed off pleasantly, without a 
jarring note of discord, to mar the beauty and pleas- 
ures of the occasion. Well may it be said, 'it was 
never so seen in Israel, ' or anywhere else. 

After the delighted guests had mostly dispersed, 
the happy pair with a goodly number of their friends, 
repaired to tlie landing, on the sea shore, a short half 
mile distant, where Capt. Jacob Groves was in wait- 
ing with his fine sailing craft, Cornelia ; and a pleas- 



206 

ant sail out upon the bay, closed the pleasing occur- 
rences of the day. But late in the evening, after the 
happy bride and groom had retired to rest, a very 
large and most civil serenading party struck u^ one 
of the most sweet and mellow airs of the season, im- 
mediately under the bridal chamber window. And 
the parties say, that the music was most bewitchingly 
sweet and fascinating. After enjoying the intellect- 
ual luxury, for a season in quiet, the delighted pair 
appeared at the window, where they were vocifer- 
ously and loudly congratulated. The Judge made 
them a short speech, thanked them all very kindly, 
for their finely executed compliment, and their soul- 
stirring music ; then, bidding them a most warm and 
hearty good-night, closed the window and retired, 
under the moving inspiration of three long, loud and 
animating cheers, from the happy band of skillful ser- 
enaders. And thus closed the varied and pleasing 
sayings and doings of Judge Cotton 's second wed- 
ding. That he may long live to enjoy tlie very 
agreeable society of his most amiable, most intelli- 
gent and most pious lady-, and the comforts of his new 
and beautiful home, is the general wish and prayer 

of all. Amen. 

The Repokter. 

Yarmouth, Me., Oct. 1st, 1871. 



207 



Note by the Judge, 1872. 
This second wedding of mine, as might reasonably 
be supposed from the above graphic and glowing 
report, produced quite a general excitement in the 
literary and religious circles of the county. All the 
Portland City editors really 'puffed ' it abroad. The 
'Boston Herald quoted it, sure. And I am informed 
that the Lewiston Journal, and the New York Tribune 
and other journals passed it around. A friend just 
returned from an European voyage, said, it met his 
eyes in Edinburgh, Scotland, and then again at 
Liverpool, England. Another friend says, that it 
met him in Nebraska, and that it was known all over 
California, in less than a month after its celebration. 
It has gone out into all the world, to the very ends 
of the earth, I reckon. Was ever the like before"? 
That I should have such a magnificent wedding, and 
win such a pretty home, such a superior wife, and 
such a flattering world-wide notoriety, in the kmd 
providence of God, fills my heart with gratitude and 
praise to "God ; and with honest pride and heart-felt 
gratitude, I conclude this report. 

This very magnificent and romantic wedding 
would not have been accorded to me, had I spent 
all of ray spare dimes for 'rum and tobacco, ' and all 
my leisure hours in loafing around. 



208 

And then when I trip over my fine carpets, up 
stairs and down, loll about in my easy chairs, my 
lounges, my sofas, and my beautiful vine arbor, when 
I sport my pretty, gold watch-chain and gold specta- 
cles, presented to me by my superior, good lady,wheii 
I survey my very pretty, five acre lot, my thrifty, 
fruitful orchard, and my model garden, when I look 
out upon the beautiful Bay and Islands, and my 
beautiful surroundings generally, I am tempted to 
ask myself, 'am I in a trance, in the dream land, ' 
or am I still an inhabitant of earth, if so, as other- 
where expressed, then indeed have 1 neither served 
the church, nor the country in vain. My donation 
of 1500.00 to Moore's Hill College, was the enter- 
ing wedge to all this good fortune ; explanation here- 
after. What saith it ? 'Give and it shall be given 
to you, good measure, pressed down and running 
over. ' And if that is not literally being fulfilled in 
me, I should very much like to know what would 
be. 'Surely goodness and mercy has followed me 
all the days of my life. ' And I may well say with 
the poet : — 

My cup of blessings overflows, 
And joy exalts my heart. 

O, I am almost too happy to live, and do not ex- 
pect to live long. The will of God be done. Amen 
and amen. 



COTTON'S SKETCH-BOOK. 



209 



I have very many choice poems still on hand, but 
I cannot quote them here. My book will be too 
large anyhow, for a sketch-book, but I will venture 
to insert just one more, which I appreciate very high- 
ly, and is applicable in all coming time. And this is 
it. A Presidential campaign ode, which I Aground 
out ' for 1860, and pronounced at a Republican mass 
meeting, to the manifest delight of the vast assemblage. 



THE SHIP OF STATE. 

Our gallant ship of State, now standing out to sea, 
Is sound in all her timbers, and from objections free; 
^Though tempest-tossed and driven, as oft she 's been 

before, 
She '11 ride the surging billows, and safely reach the shore. 
With Lincoln at the helm, and Hamlin at his side, 
Our gallant ship of State, will every storm outride. 

That men should widely disagree, in freedom 's land 

along, 
Is right and reasonable to suppose, as saith my humble 

song; 
But never dare abuse those rights, nor 'tremble in the 

knees, ' 
Then think and speak and write and vote, precisely as 

you please, 
"With Lincoln at the helm, &c. 



210 C0TT0J^''S SKETCH-BOOK. 

I love an honest Democrat, I love him good and hearty, 
But in my soul do I despise, false men of our own party. 
O for strong nerves, for sound back-bone, in men of rank 

and station. 
Such are the men to love in song, and such to rule the 

nation. 
With Lincoln at the helm, &c. 

'Tis cheering to the heart to know there is a power above. 
That rules the nations of the earth in justice, truth, and 

love ; 
And that oppression, sin, and shame are odious in His 

sight, 
And all the advocates of wrong He'll surely put to flight. 
With Lincoln at the helm, &c. 

The masses of our people are honest to the core, 
Convince them they are surely wrong, and they will err 

no more; 
Full well I know 'tis hard to do, but still it can be done, 
Illume their minds with light and truth, and lo ! the work 

is done. 
With Lincoln at the helm, &c. 

Be active freemen, active, while it is called to-day, 
And whatever else you may omit, do not forget to pray; 
We should acknowledge God the more, as howling tem- 
pests lower. 
His name a shield and buckler is, a safeguard and a tower. 
With Lincoln at the helm, &c. 

When honest Abe shall man the helm, and put the craft 

in trim. 
Thousands who oppose him now, will rally then to him; 



cotton's sketch-book. 211 

The howling tempest cease its roar, wliich threatened us 

so long, 
Then all the world shall feel and see our Union bands are 

strong. 
With Lincoln at the helm, &c. 

Let great men flicker as they may, the yeomanry are true, 
And 'tis with them, my countrymen, that we have much 

to do; 
Upon the honest masses, pour in a flood of light, 
And victory will crown the day, and now my friends, 

good-night. 



Anything in that unworthy of a minister of Christ? 



I have not quoted the entire poem, but the sub- 
stance of it. It went off, without pushing, and I 
made my mark handsomely. I remodeled it, for 
Grant and Colfax, and then again, for Grant and 
Wilson. And now, if I could 'grab ' a little out of 
it, as readily as Grant and Butler did the dimes out 
of the Treasury, I should be content. But as Pi- 
late said, 'what I have written, I have written, ' and 
so it must remain. I will now conclude this chap- 
ter, with one more of the very flattering public 
notices, that have been accorded to me, from time 
to time, during my past very honorable and event- 
ful history. I do it, more to encourage the little 
boys, and to make out my case, as a law^yer would 



212 

say, than to flatter my own vanity; although I feel 
very comfortable under the operation, you may well 
be assured. Read it, boys, and then say what you 
will do for yourselves ! 



213 



Presidential Elector. 

Mr. Editor: I notice that several persons are 
through the columns of your paper, presenting the 
claims of their friends for nomination at the Union 
Conventions, and to be up with the fashion of the 
times, I would respectfully mention the name of our 
old friend, Rev. Judge A. J. Cotton, in connection 
with the office of Presidential Elector for this Dis- 
trict. The Judge is 'some ' on the stump, as well 
as in the pulpit and on the bench ; there are no 
better Union men living, and I know there are none 
more willing to work in the cause. As he is getting 
along in years, and will probably soon retire from the 
active scenes of this world, it has occurred to me that 
there could be no more appropriate closing of a well- 
spent life than registering his vote as a Presidential 
Elector for President of the United States in favor 
of some man. 

'Pledged but to Truth, to Liberty and Law. ' 
And certainly no more flattering testimonial of the 
esteem and confidence in which Judge Cotton is held 
by his fellow-citizens, could be oiFered than by ten- 
dering him the nomination for the above office. Let 
us do it. Soldier. 



214 



A POEM: 

RECITED BY PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 

Having a page or two kindly accorded to me, I 

hasten with pleasure to fill them with that most 

beautiful poem, about which President Lincoln once 
said: — 

'There is a poem, which has been a great favorite 
with me for years, which was first shown to me when 
a young man, by a friend, and which I afterwards 
saw and cut from a newspaper, and learned by heart. 
I would, he continued, give a great deal to know 
who wrote it, but I have never been able to ascer- 
tain. ' 

Here it is, for your pleasurable and profitable 
entertainment. 

'O, WHY SHOULD THE SPIRIT OF MORTAL BE PROUD.' 

O why should the spirit of mortal be proud ? 
Like a swift, fleeting meteor, a fast-flying cloud, 
A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave. 
He passetli from life to rest in the grave. 



cotton's sketch-book. 215 

The leaves of the oak and the willow shall fade, 
Be scattered around and together be laid, 
And the young and the old, and the low and the high, 
Shall moulder to dust, and together shall lie. 

The infant and mother attended and loved ; 
The mother that infant's affection who proved; 
The husband that mother and infant who blessed, 
Each, all, are away to their dwellings of rest. 

The hand of the king that the sceptre hath borne; 
»The brow of the priest that the mitre hath worn; 
The eye of the sage and the heart of the brave. 
Are hidden and lost in the depths of the grave. 

The peasant, whose lot was to sow and to reap; 
The herdsman, who climbed with his goats up the steep; 
The beggar, who wandered in search of his bread. 
Have faded away like the grass that we tread. 

??o the multitude goes, like the flower or the weed. 
That withers away to let others succeed; 
\So the multitude comes, even those we behold. 
To repeat every tale that has often been told. 

For we are the same as our fathers have been; 
We see the same sights that our fathers have seen — 
We drink the same stream and we vievf the same sun, 
And run the same course that our fathers have run. 

The thoughts we are thinking our fathers would think; 
From the death we are shrinking our fathers would shrink; 
To the life we are dinging they also would cling; 
But it speeds for usall like a bird on the wing. 



216 cotton's sketch-book. 

They loved, but the story we cannot unfold; 
They scorned, but the heart of the haughty is cold; 
They grieved, but no wail from their slumber will come; 
They joyed, but the tongue of their gladness is dumb. 

They died, aye ! they died; we things that are now, 

That walk on the turf that lies over their brow. 

And make in their dwellings a transient abode. 

Meet the things that they met on their pilgrimage road. 

Yea ! hope and despondency, pleasure and pain, 
"We mingle together in sunshine and rain ; 
And the smile and the tear, the song and the dirge. 
Still follow each other, like surge upon surge. 

'Tis the wink of an eye, 'tis the draught of a breath, 
From the blossom of health to the paleness of death; 
From the gilded saloon to the bier and the shroud — 
O, why should the spirit of mortal be proud ? 

O, indeed ! is that not most beautiful, beautiful ? 

Jane Hamilton Cotton. 

Portland, Me., Nov. 5, 1873. 



H 187 83 ' 



v^ \ 














^^-^^^ 

















o^. *.T«^ aO 



,^^ ,..- 










■^c 






* > . • 






vv 









.'J" -^r 













• 4? V. * 













^^^. 



4-°* 



O. •• . . ' .^ 



;'' /% V 






'=>o 













^6" 






^./ • 












m. APR 83 

_ N. MANCHESTER, 

i^f INDIANA 46962 













